Oceans have always been a major source of food for people from ancient times. The large-scale fisheries and exploitation of sea life by fishing companies has lead to drastic reduction in the population of many fish. One of the reasons for this appalling situation could be globalization. Shocking as it may seem, 25% of the world’s known fish species are on the brink of extinction thanks to over fishing. Tuna and cod are facing survival threats and unfortunately nobody seems to be interested in taking the responsibility. Nobody is able to predict the consequences of a damaged oceanic ecological system either.
Governments have banned fishing in certain areas and also certain fish populations are protected. EU pays $61 million to Greenland every year so that Germany can continue fishing in its waters. Germans prefer their fish frozen and hence giving fishermen ample time to fish elsewhere, and ruin the ecological system there. Germany is just an example. Most developed countries and also the third world countries must be blamed for this drastic decrease in the populations of fish. The European Union’s strategies have been one of hypocrisy. While seemingly green and environmental friendly, in a covert manner, EU has been allowing governments and industries to undertake large-scale fishing in foreign seas as well. This probably could be due to the free trade policies and also due to globalization that fishing companies have brazenly continued to exploit the oceanic populations.
If the present scenario continues most species that we know today on our platter would cease to exist and their extinction would invariably affect other species of plants and fish as well. Illegal, Unregistered and unregulated fishing is a major cause for concern. Some kind of monitoring has to be brought in to place. Rising sea temperatures themselves have done a lot of damage to oceanic fauna. Now, one can just wait and watch if something could be done in order to protect the fish populations from being exploited until extinction. A solution would be to not let foreign companies to fish in alien waters as globalization has been a major reason for today’s fishing worries.
Via: Spiegel
Comments
Jaiyant,
Well-written post.
Globalisation has spread its tentacles and affecting every aspect of our life and environment. We need good monitoring and strict control,before every species start gasping for survival...
Could sustainable fisheries be the key here? Raise large populations of the common fishes in artificial enviorments, ensure their survival, retain a small percent to ensure their continued existance and cull the rest instead of over fishing our already depleated ocean!
Nah i dont think sustainable fisheries are the key. Food is one thing but how it is raised and how it lives makes a BIG difference.
An example is only recently have scientists found out that Whales dont sing in captivity. Sounds like it doesnt mean much but that made a big difference in how aquatic and marine sciences tracked and understood those gracious mammals.
Put an animal in captivity too long and you end up with Flipper the sad fish who eventually kills itself. ——> Well flipper was on TV but Salmon farms have it hard when disease hits, there is literally no where to go when it spreads so once a farm is hit you may as well destroy the stock on site.
There is no half way or moderation —-> We’ve eaten and borrowed more than the environment can sustain and we’ve not given it anything back in return except the pollution from our consumption... We’ve got to put the brakes on and start finding a way to repair this place including the oceans and its inhabitants.
Keep they alive, Love this earth