The global fishing industry is worth billions, and now more than ever fisherman are devastating fish populations. The blue fin tuna fisheries in Japan, and the cod fisheries off the coast of Canada in Newfoundland are examples of what may happen in the near future to many Fish populations. Blue fin tuna are at the frontline of the current crisis as they are nearing the end and may have already reached the point of no return. The pride of the sport and commercial fishing for generations the blue fin have been fighting a losing battle and may have finally lost the ability to reproduce. According to Johann Hari, columnist for the London Independent, referring to the blue fin tuna situation, “A third of the remaining population is ripped from the seas and slapped onto our plates, soon it will be gone” (Hari, 1). Large corporations like Mitsubishi have foreseen the collapse of the blue fin and have frozen and stockpiled many tons of fish in anticipation of the rise in cost as the populations collapse (McCready, 1). This type of attitude cannot be tolerated if we are to sustain populations. Many influential people are urging governments to use the United Nations to enact a ban on blue fin tuna fishing as a means to save the few remaining. It is believed that the blue fin tuna collapsed in 2007 as there were no mature spawners left. In the Canadian waters off the coast of Newfoundland fisheries have devastated the cod population. The former capital of the world’s cod industry many believed it was, “a fishing town where the scaly creatures of the sea were so abundant they could be caught with their hands” (Hari, 1). However, in the 1980’s populations dramatically decreased, fish even began to become smaller, and by 1991, they were gone. The government enacted a ban under the assumption that protecting the remaining cod would allow them to repopulate. Yet, 15 years later they still have not recovered. The population is destroyed and will never recover. (Hari, 1).
In the famous fishing town of Gloucester the last large fish processing operation is Gorton's of Gloucester established in 1949 (Clover, 11). One might expect that the fish coming in and out in the large processing facility may have been Atlantic cod coming from the local fisheries that made the town famous when in fact, they are Alaskan Pollock or Russian Pollock processed in China. The fish are then shipped thousands of miles to the final processing facility in Gloucester. They also use farmed shrimp from South America and Asia as well as other species from around the world. With the collapse of New England's great fisheries Gorton's has been outsourcing from foreign countries in order to keep up with demand since the 1980's. "Americans now eat more foreign fish than fish produced at home" (10)
Stories of fisheries collapsing are played out all over the world. In England fishing off Dogger Bank sustained the town of Lowestoft for over 600 years as a prosperous fishing community the most prominent in the entire North Sea. The largest company in Lowestoft, Colne Shipping had to tie up its fleet for the last time in 2002 as fuel prices began to rise and fish numbers continued to fall. After fifty eight years they had to shut down as a result of using unsustainable fishing practices. There are still a few small boats that go out and catch what little remains, but these days the town’s economy depends on tourist activity rather than fish. Charles clover describes the mood of the town, “The terrible sadness that seeps out of the place is reminiscent of a mining town where the coal ran out" (98). There is a government laboratory built in Lowestoft in order to ensure a plentiful stock to remain in the North Sea. They have a $43 million dollar research vessel named the Endeavor monitoring a sea which has two thirds of its fish species are close to the point of no return (99). In response to the depletion of fish in the North Sea the E.U. has created large refuge areas of open ocean which has helped to create a small recovery of local species. It is a slow process but people are starting to take notice and better care of our oceans (331).
Measures taken in Alaska are an example of what can be done to ensure a sustainable harvest for future generations. Strict quotas are enforced vigorously as to never take too many fish in a given season. Scientific research and observation have been critical to conservation of populations of fish in Alaskan waters. Understanding the importance of conservation as opposed to preservation, in terms of the local economy, fish and game officials encourage responsible fishing methods. Areas considered critical spawning grounds are off limits so that fish can reproduce without interference. The allotted time fishermen are allowed to fish is strictly enforced as over fishing can decimate populations. The attitudes of sport fishermen are beginning to shift as well. Many practice catch and release, a way of conserving fish for other anglers and future generations. Others only keep fish which are considered to be in no danger and can be harvested using sustainable methods. Sport fisherman however, are not the major problem and have relatively low impact on populations. Like many other types of endangered species such as rhinos or tigers fish populations must be protected (Hari, 1).
The failure of governments around the world to enforce quotas and create protected areas has taken its toll. Large commercial fishing operations can decimate populations to as little as ten percent of its former size in as little as 15 years. Large European and American fishing boats have moved on to other areas such as Africa to find fish. Small communities, who depend on their daily catch for survival, are forced to compete with large companies from all around the world who have already destroyed their own fishing grounds. There is a question of morality in that the major world powers are taking fish from poor people in third world countries. These issues are illustrated by Charles clover as he documented his trip to Dakar in Senegal West Africa. He describes an immaculate new 149 ton Spanish fishing trawler docked in a harbor surrounded by small, rusted, old beat up local Senegalese trawlers, most of which are remnants from the 1970's north sea's fisheries. Invited to join the Spanish trawler on a trip out to see he noted that there was a small canoe with an eleven man crew pulling in a net with nothing in it as the massive trawler went passed (42). The European Union has made agreements with many West African countries in order to allow European fishing companies to fish there waters. The seafood served throughout Europe that many believe is taken from the Mediterranean is actually taken off the coast of countries such as Angola which are under the constant threat of starvation. The continental shelf off the Coast of West Africa creates some of the most abundant fish stocks in the world including over 1200 species. There are little to no Regulations on fishing in these waters, giant trawlers from other countries that have already destroyed their own local fish populations come along and take everything in their path leaving little for the poor local people that depend on the fish for survival. Namibia took the first step in reversing the trend of European trawlers entering their Waters. After gaining Independence in 1990 they ended their fishing agreement with the E.U., a few Spanish trawlers persisted and in 1992 they used helicopters to track down and arrest the captains and seize the ships. This was a direct result of overfishing of Hake populations. Scientist found that there were only juvenile fish remaining, no adult spawners putting the species at the point of collapse (50). Senegal too needs to take action as stated by Clover "The consensus is that Senegal has five years before its fisheries will collapse" (52). Using examples like these Clover is convincing in his argument that global fish populations are being over fished and that we are reaching a critical point.
A panel of scientist from around the world has found that 29 percent of global species have been reduced to only ten percent of the size they were 50 years ago. At the current rate of depletion, Scientists have estimated that all fish populations will be gone in the next 50 years (Dean, 1). Many believe that farmed fish may be the future of the seafood industry and that there will always be a source of fish. Unfortunately farmed fish depend on ocean caught fish. In fact, it takes five pounds of ocean fish to produce one pound of farmed fish (McCready, 2). With a ratio like this it is evident that farmed fish are part of the problem and not the solution. Farmed fish lack genetic diversity and are more susceptible to disease which can spread into the wild populations. As a result, antibiotics are often used which can be transferred on to the consumer as well as wild ocean fish. Humans face other health issues in the future as well; recent reports have found that tuna such as yellow fin have amounts of mercury found to be unacceptable by the F.D.A. as a result of pollution (Clover, 200). Heavy metal pollution is raising concerns for the safety of ocean caught fish something even I have become aware of as a sport fisherman.
Growing up in southern California we didn't have a lot of options in terms of places to fish either, manmade lakes of concrete with a few stocked fish, or a trip to one of many piers along the coast. The piers were always packed with fisherman bringing in small sharks, sting rays, mackerel, sea bass, and even the occasional bonito. We would always bring home enough for a good meal and would usually give fish to some of the other people there for showing us how to catch them. It was great fishing and we always had a good time. As time passed there seemed to be less fish and less people trying to catch them. It became rare to catch fish to take home; eventually we reached a point where we took no fish. Fish and Wild Life officials posted signs warning of lead and mercury poisoning as a result of contaminated waters. Whenever a storm comes signs are posted to stay out of the water due to sewage contamination as well as runoff from the powerful man made concrete rivers that run throughout the busy overcrowded cities in southern California. I used to wonder how much Smog would dissolve into the waters as I noticed that most of the time I could barely see Catalina Island which was just a few miles off the coast of Orange County. At night you can see dozens of oil platforms all along the coast glowing and dominating the landscape. My parents tell me of a time the waters along the coast were crystal clear. In southern California I have never seen anything but dirty green water, the same waters I learned to surf in, and the same waters I learned to fish. I have witnessed in my lifetime a change and I have been directly impacted by these issues. I would like to save fish for future generations in fact; I would even like to become an old man fly fishing in a stream someday with my grandchildren that is of course if there are any fish left.
It’s not too late, if measures are taken now to reduce over fishing and environmental abuse; we can save the global fish population for future generations. As can be seen in Alaska, responsible government management of fisheries can have a profound impact. Through the enforcement of strict quotas, the monitoring of fisherman as well protection of critical habitats Alaska has retained a healthy population. More than anything, popular opinion will be the deciding factor in the current crisis of declining populations. By consuming only sustainable harvest, using catch and release, and simply caring for your environment through recycling buying green products; everyone can make a difference in the fight to save global fish populations.
Clover, Charles. The End Of The Line How overfishing is changing the world and what we eat.
