Overfishing Around the World

The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) conducted a fourendanger other species that don't have the same
year study of the oceans and seas of the worldcommercial value but whose biological value is
and determined that by the year 2048, the stockincalculable.
of all fish species currently exploited will collapse.The solution starts by establishing marine
Currently, the stock of about 1/3 of marineprotected areas and implementing temporary
species have collapsed and the pace isbans on fishing to preserve the reproductive cycle
accelerating drastically.of different species thus prevent the depletion of
The main cause is the increase in internationalfish stocks. We also have to decrease the catch
commercial fishing without adequate resourcevolume as the basic rule in fishing should be only
planning as there are too many fishing boats innecessary amount in the appropriate time and
relation to the carrying capacity of the resource.place while protecting the breeding areas.
This creates undue pressure on the species whileMillions of sharks, rays, fish and seabirds are killed
fishing companies continue to make handsome.due to inefficient fishing methods that catch as
Another structural problem is that there is not amuch as possible and throw away what has little
model fishery. Nobody has taken the time to thinkcommercial value. For example, in South America,
of how to develop a sustainable model for thisit is estimated that more than 100 Franciscan
industry. The role that each fleet should have, todolphins are killed per year when their population is
access to these natural resources. Not only hasestimated at only 22,000. This is all due to the use
this lack of planning failed to prevent theof different styles of nets that catch anything
overexploitation of fish but it is also continuing tothat come in their paths.
allow the destruction of marine habitat that is alsoAccording to statistics from the FAO (Food and
essential for the continuity of life. It is known thatAgriculture Organization of the United Nations) in
thousands of dead fish, mammals and sea turtles2005 the world's fisheries caught about 142 million
are discarded by inappropriate fishing. Thesetons of fish. That is 1 million more than in 2004
negligent practices not only endanger the specieswhen the overall per capita consumption remained
which are being sought after but they alsoat 2004 levels.