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Running head: IS THERE REALLY PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA?

Opinion Piece: Is There Really Plenty of Fish in the Sea?

Giovanni Hermosillo
University of Texas at El Paso

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IS THERE REALLY PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA?

For hundreds of years people have chosen fish as one of their primary sources of
food protein. The reasons for this are because of the amount of fish in the ocean, which a
lot of people might describe as infinite, and another reason is simply due to how easy
they have become to catch as technology has evolved. Humans began by catching
whatever fish was available in their geographical area, and later ventured out into the
massive ocean in search of different species. The size of the ocean is not something that
can be truly measured due to most of its unmapped depth. In these dark waters live many
species of all shapes and colors, a lot of them, which are unknown to humans. However,
many of the fish and marine mammals that we do know about are being affected by the
greedy and destructive acts of human beings.

Figure 1.
Illegal

Pacific Tuna
Transhipment
Although we

might

have a lot of

species,

and some may

argue that losing a few cant be too hurtful as long as people have enough to eat. It is
important to know that close to 20 percent of the fish that is caught in North America is
wasted, and it doesnt; even get to reach the consumer (Fish, 2016). In order to address
this issue, a possible solution would be to make punishments stricter, and make sure that
the offender isnt just let off with a fine. These fishermen know that the species they fish

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IS THERE REALLY PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA?
for have a very high price tag due to how few of them exist, and the fines they are given
can easily be paid off with the sale. Fishermen will then be able to be freed and continue
to fish until the next time they get caught.
Most parts of the ocean are under jurisdiction of the countries they are near to,
and a lot of them do not have the financial capability of policing them. Policing would be
the most effective method to control who is allowed to fish, and what species they are
allowed to fish for. Norway is a good example of a country doing this; they have many
vessels and workforces on their waters in order to protect their species (van Doorn,
Friedland, & Jenisch, n.d.). Countries need to get together and have uniform laws on
what species are allowed to be fish and how many. This would eliminate loopholes that
allow fishermen to keep destroying marine life.
In conclusion, I feel that this issue needs to be addressed by countries all over the
world because the ocean is way too large for just a couple of countries to police. If this
isnt done, we will begin to lose hundreds of species, which will have a domino effect on
all of the millions of species in the ocean. All of the work and dedication one country has
put can be easily be destroyed by another careless country even if it is smaller in size.
The ocean is very important for the survival of humans, and it should be treated and
protected for how vital it is.

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IS THERE REALLY PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA?
References

Fish, F. of. (2016). Fish 101: Overfishing. Retrieved July 1, 2016, from
http://www.futureoffish.org/resources/fish-101/overfishing
Hofford, A. (2012). Illegal Pacific Tuna Transhipment [Online Image]. Retrieved July
23, 2016 from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/fitfor-the-future/overfishing/
van Doorn, E., Friedland, R., & Jenisch, U. Illegal fishing. Retrieved July 23, 2016, from
World Ocean Review, http://worldoceanreview.com/en/wor-2/fisheries/illegalfishing/