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Overfishing

We want to help inform and educate many people about the intricacies and importance of the issue of overfishing, while also providing valuable information, solutions, and resources for anyone wanting to learn more about the issue and what they can do to help.

The Issue

Overfishing is the continued catching of too many fish at one time. This usually occurs to the point where fish populations are either seriously or deathly depleted, sometimes depleting them beyond recovery. Overfishing is most commonly seen today in types of commercial fishing, where massive populations of fish can be taken away at any one given time, decimating the local environment and making the recovery for heavily impacted populations unlikely and ultimately slow.

Ecosystems and species are taking the hardest hit when it comes to overfishing, as when too many organisms are removed from the environment, it decimates the local populations of fish while also toppling the food chain and making the whole water ecosystem unstable and possibly unsustainable.

Billions of people around the world rely on ocean ecosystems and organisms to acquire their food, with overfishing endangering their main source of protein and leading to fears of food insecurity in many regions of the world.

Overfishing is at least a possible threat to virtually all organisms across the planet. Entire ocean ecosystems can and have been wrecked by rampant overfishing in areas that were once thriving. As ocean ecosystems and food webs become more unstable, so do the ones on land, as many animals (and us) will begin to see some of the effects of the depletion of various plunderable fish species and sources. The damage here, if severe enough, is almost impossible to recover from for a directly affected species.

Geography

The Mediterranean Sea showcases the most of this issue. It is a large sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Europe, Africa, and Asia. There are many landmarks in this area, including the Collosseum and the Pantheon. Majority of the surrounding area is urban, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The culture focuses on hospitality and friendliness, but the cultural food does not involve as much fish that would contribute to the mass overfishing. People have adapted to the climate by utilizing agriculture and adapting homes for mass floods. The Mediterranean is stable with other countries economically, exporting petroleum and vehicles while importing refined petroleum oil. To get around the sea, people will use boats, trains, cars, and airplanes. A lot of people will migrate across the sea from North Africa due to a loss of hope and resources. The major dispute within this area is of Turkey and Greece, but it does not contribute to overfishing.

What has the government actually done?

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires annual catch limits and accountability measures in federal fisheries to end and prevent overfishing. This issue is not covered in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Who would support our cause? / Challenges

Conservative and Republicans because conservatives who fish do not want to go out of business due to lack of fish due to overfishing would support us. Conservatives would support this movement so they don’t lose their jobs. In a poll, 98% of Republicans votes yes for change in fishing and fo anti-overfishing laws. The NRDC and local government can help us in our mission. The target audience is fishermen, but those who illegally fish may become an obstacle. Industrial forces are already against recognizing the issue as it earns them money.