All articles tagged with #overfishing
A large, unregulated foreign fishing fleet, mainly from China, is overfishing squid off the coast of Argentina, causing ecological damage, risking species collapse, and involving human rights abuses, with calls for international regulation and transparency to prevent environmental and social disaster.
Eel populations worldwide have declined over 90% since the 1980s due to habitat loss, pollution, and illegal trade, prompting calls for international trade restrictions through CITES. However, Japan, China, and the US oppose new protections, citing sufficient national regulations and lack of evidence linking trade to declines. Conservationists argue that stricter international controls are vital for the species' survival and ecosystem health.
The WTO's agreement to reduce fishing subsidies, aimed at combating overfishing and promoting ocean sustainability, has officially taken effect with 112 countries onboard, though key players like India and Indonesia have yet to sign. The deal primarily targets illegal fishing and overfished stocks, with plans for a second phase to address subsidies that promote overcapacity in fishing fleets. Experts emphasize that while this is a significant step, more efforts are needed to prevent the depletion of global fish stocks.
Research highlights the critical decline of large predatory fishes in the western Indian Ocean due to overfishing, weak protection, and climate change, threatening coral reef ecosystems and local livelihoods. Urgent actions like expanding marine protected areas, improving fisheries management, and raising awareness are essential to reverse this trend and preserve marine biodiversity.
The Adriatic Sea is facing an invasion of around 50 new fish species, including the Mediterranean parrotfish, due to climate change and increased maritime traffic. This invasion is threatening the native fish population and impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen. The warmer waters have facilitated the arrival of these new species from the Red Sea, with some, like the lionfish and blue crab, posing dangers to both the ecosystem and human activities. Scientists and fishermen are concerned about the impact of these invasive species on the Adriatic's marine environment and native fish stocks.
Climate change and increased maritime traffic have led to the invasion of around 50 new fish species in the Adriatic Sea, threatening the native fish population and impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen. The warmer waters have facilitated the spread of new organisms, including dangerous species like the poisonous lionfish, which are causing considerable damage to ecosystems. Overfishing and the arrival of invasive species, such as the Mediterranean parrotfish and blue crab, are contributing to the decline of native fish stocks in the Adriatic, posing a significant challenge for both fishermen and marine researchers.
The US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case involving a government program to monitor overfishing of herring, which could limit the regulatory powers of federal agencies. The case involves two fishing companies challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service's authority to require commercial fishermen to fund the program. The conservative majority on the court expressed skepticism towards the Chevron deference doctrine, which calls for judges to defer to federal agency interpretation of ambiguous US laws. The case is part of a broader effort to weaken federal agency bureaucracy, and rulings are expected by the end of June.
A new assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that nearly a quarter of the world's freshwater fish species are at risk of extinction due to global heating, overfishing, and pollution. Climate change is impacting nearly a fifth of all threatened freshwater species, causing falling water levels, shifting seasons, and seawater intrusion. Out of the assessed species, 3,086 out of 14,898 are at risk of disappearing. The assessment also highlights the increasing threats to mahogany, Atlantic salmon, and green turtles, but there is good news about the saiga antelope population in Kazakhstan, which has increased by 1,100% in just seven years. The reintroduction of the scimitar-horned oryx in Chad is another success story, while the Atlantic salmon and green turtles are also at risk of vanishing due to habitat loss and climate change.
Despite the existence of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, progress in achieving this goal has been regressing since 2015. The lack of leadership and misalignment of promises and actions from self-proclaimed ocean champions are hindering efforts to address ocean threats such as acidification, pollution, overfishing, and biodiversity loss. While science can provide valuable insights, it cannot fill the gap of leadership. Holding nations accountable for their promises and implementing better progress metrics are crucial steps towards achieving ocean sustainability. Additional funding and the end of harmful fisheries subsidies are also necessary to support SDG 14. The livelihoods of millions of people depend on the health of the oceans, making it imperative for world leaders to fulfill their commitments.
China's recent fishing ban in certain ocean areas has been criticized by ocean conservation nonprofit Oceana as a PR stunt, as the country allegedly had minimal fishing activity in those zones prior to the ban. Oceana argues that the ban does little to protect squid and calls for real solutions to combat overfishing. China's distant-water fishing fleet, the largest in the world with nearly 11,000 vessels, reportedly conducted over 330,000 hours of squid fishing in the first half of 2023 despite the ban. Oceana highlights the need for increased transparency in fishing to prevent such deceptive practices.
Not all seafood is good for you or the environment. Many fish species, especially larger ones, contain high levels of mercury, which can have serious health impacts. Overfishing and bycatch are also major concerns, with some species being threatened with extinction. Farmed fish can cause environmental problems, including interbreeding with wild species and the release of antibiotics and chemicals into surrounding waters. It is important to be aware of the health and environmental impacts when choosing which seafood to eat.
A study led by Rutgers University has found that Atlantic cod have undergone rapid evolution due to human-driven overfishing, with changes occurring within decades rather than millions of years. The researchers used modern technology to uncover the genetic code of codfish caught over a century ago, revealing subtle genetic shifts. The findings suggest that small changes in numerous genes triggered the cod's evolution, rather than an isolated genetic aberration. The study offers hope for the beleaguered codfish, whose population has been slowly recovering since fishing pressure lessened, and could potentially regain its former glory with proper management.