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World fisheries still in danger of imminent collapse, says U.N.

Posted at 10:07 AM on 25 Feb 2008

When last we checked in on the world's commercial fish stocks, they were in danger of collapsing within decades. And, sorry to say, they still are, according to a United Nations Environment Program report ominously titled "In Dead Water." Factor in climate change, overfishing, and pollution "and you see you're potentially putting a death nail in the coffin of world fisheries," says UNEP head Achim Steiner. To give a sense of the scale (ho ho) of the problem, our finned friends are the main protein source for some 2.6 billion people.

sources: Associated Press, Reuters

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Comments: (11 comments)

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Fish

I am a senior citizen. When I was in high school we were taught that we would never have to worry about food; the seas could feed the world even if the population was ten times what it was then. If we had managed fishing as we should have that would have been true. As is usually the case man has attacked this food source with no thought to the future. I have seen documentaries on the waste that the commercial fishing fleets generates. The waste is criminal.

by Rgriisser at 11:34 AM on 25 Feb 2008

Overpopulation

Overfishing is probably the ultimate proof of gross human overpopulation. There is much waste in the commercial fishing industry, but the bulk of the problem is that there are far too many boats trying to catch far too many fish. The only reason for this is that there are far too many people eating fish. People who overeat fish could certainly lower their individual consumption to a reasonable level, say once per week, but there would still be way too many boats trying to catch way too many fish. The only way to solve this problem in the short term is very strict and enforced regulations on amount of fish caught, and in the long term by greatly reducing human population.

by Wolverine at 12:02 PM on 25 Feb 2008

Better alternatives

I agree that population reduction programs are crucial but I also feel we need more programs to promote plant-based diets. Fish needs to be the main protein source for far fewer than 2.6 billion people. I realize many people don't have much of a choice in what they eat because of poverty, but for those of us in the developed world that do, we should be getting our protein from non-animal sources. Most of the fish caught in the waters off Africa is sent to Europe, very little is consumed locally in Africa. Protein and omega 3 fatty acids are usually why fish is proclaimed healthy, but there are many plant-based sources of protein and omega 3s that in addition to being more sustainable are lower in mercury and other pollutants. Walnuts, flax and hemp seeds and oils are great, inexpensive sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Just mix some ground flax seed into your soups, salads, oatmeal, cereal and more. Sprinkle some walnuts on your salad. Time to give the fish a break.

by amc89 at 12:22 PM on 25 Feb 2008

Overpopulation Yes

Finally Wolverine someone agrees with me. I've been saying that we are populating ourselves out of existence for years but my words have been falling on deaf ears. At the present rate of annual population growth the world's population will double in about 49 years. That will be one person for every 2.5 acres of the exposed land area of the world. That is totally unsustainable. I'm sure that Mother Nature will not allow that to happen (AIDS, avian flu or other now unknown pandemics.)

by Rgriisser at 12:41 PM on 25 Feb 2008

But, but!

Don't you guys realize that human beings are special? We're not like other creatures, subject to the laws of nature! We can grow without limit and convert the whole world into a supply chain just for us! Our technology makes us invincible!

Sorry about that, sometimes my sarcasm takes over.. I'm better now. ;)

If you continue to do what you've always done you'll continue to get what you've always got. - Yogi Berra

by Matt at 4:10 PM on 25 Feb 2008

Population Vs Eating

Complaining about others having babies won't get you anywhere. The crisis is now, not when the 8 billionth human is born.

The solution is simple. People who have other alternatives should stop eating fish.

patrick in Beijing

by bookerly at 9:26 PM on 25 Feb 2008

Overfishing...tell me another one

"Overfishing" sounds like some advertising phrase designed by the environmental equivalent of the makers of Enddust or Formula 409 as some new thing to worry about that doesn't exist. "Formula 409 -- it cuts through the little tiny brown trails that...that...mites leave!"

Any species worth its salt would love to have the fully grown adults culled from its midst (as long as they've mated). There is no net harm to making the species, through farming, produce as many adults (that have mated) as possible. In fact, the more you take, the more you get (Loaves, Fishes, the whole Jesus thing...What's the Buzz...tell me what's a happening).

The best thing for young adults is to have all the older adults removed from the eating zones. In fact, in most species (save our own) adulthood is a small fraction of the total lifespan...you mate, you die. End of story. So eat up.

by jabailo at 9:35 PM on 25 Feb 2008

Funny Guy!

Very clever, Jabailo! Props on the Superstar reference!

In point of fact, there are a number of species that are not being fished after they spawn and a few that actually have multiple years as adults and can spawn more than once.

I would LOVE for someone to explain to the fishermen and ocean research institutes how they can tell BEFORE they catch the fish in their nets and lines which fish have spawned and which haven't. Also, if can devise a net system which only catches parent fish, then I'll gladly hail that person as an unqualified genius and have their kittens!

Further, you may cry "red herring" all you wish, but the empirical data shows clearly that the stocks of wild game fish are declining and doing so in such a way that future spawning looks bleak indeed.

If you continue to do what you've always done you'll continue to get what you've always got. - Yogi Berra

by Matt at 6:26 AM on 26 Feb 2008

Fishing

I live close to the Chesapeake Bay. When I was a kid rockfish (striped bass) were plentiful. Because of over-population and the resulting over-development the Bay has huge dead spots (little or no oxygen) and the fishing is sparse. The nitrogen levels from fertilizers has killed the grasses under water and the marine population has lost their natural breeding grounds. Rockfish are semi-protected now in hopes of saving them from extinction. Crabbing is dwindling and the watermen are giving up the lifestyle that has been in their family for generations. Our oyster industry has declined because of a disease that the "authorities" claim will kill the oysters but not humans.

by Rgriisser at 7:14 AM on 26 Feb 2008

Overopoulation & Overfising

Patrick,
You assume that I don't support restrictions on fishing, which is incorrect. I support marine sanctuaries and very strong fishing regulations and limits, but this, along with all other environmental and ecological problems, will not be solved until humans greatly reduce their population.

Saying that we're just "complaining" sounds like you don't want to do anything about the overpopulation problem, which you see in Beijing to a greater extent than most other places. We've offered solutions (free and unlimited birth control & abortion, one-child-family policies, etc.), so we're not just complaining. And even if we were, in order to get attention focused on a problem, people need to complain about it.

by Wolverine at 12:44 PM on 26 Feb 2008

Solutions??

Dear Wolverine,

Who is the "we" who has offered those solutions? Who are you claiming has offered "free and unlimited birth control & abortion"? Certainly not the United States!!!

And who says that such offerings if they existed (and I know of no place that they exist), are the answer to reducing population?? You might try reading what the various legitimate population groups say about the matter.

In terms of complaining, you need to understand that there are legitimate population groups, and they aren't complaining, they are working. You could join one, or give money as you wish, if you wish.

The answers to population growth include education, raising income of poor people, sound social welfare systems (and not last!) the empowerment of women.

Do you have a scenario for reducing population in time to affect the oceans? How would it be done?

patrick in Beijing

by bookerly at 9:23 PM on 26 Feb 2008

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