Consequences Of Overfishing

Overfishing Overfishing means to deplete or exhaust a stock of fish or shellfish by excessive fishing. This may not seem like a topic that is ever worth argueing over, or worth making laws for, but little do people know that the consequences of overfishing will soon affect the entire world. This will not only affect ocean life, it will also affect humans, as well as all other living organisms lives as well. There are already several overfishing laws existing, but they are easily avoidable and is done so with so many large fishing companies.

Sharks have been swimming the world’s oceans for more than 400 million years - 100 years before the first dinosaurs appeared (Griffin et al., 2008). Sharks fall under the kingdom Animalia, the phylum Chordate and the class chondrichthyes. There are more than 400 known shark species found in the ocean (Musick and Musick, 2011). In the ocean, sharks help maintain the health of ocean ecosystems and help regulate and maintain the balance of the marine environment (Griffin et al., 2008). These sharks have slow growth rates and reach sexual maturity at a relatively late age compared to other marine fish, which leaves their population vulnerable to any outside sources (Musick and Musick, 2011). Sharks have been apex predators in the ocean for millions of years, however, the populations of sharks have been at risk for years as a result of many different factors.

Imagine a world without any fish in our ocean, nothing for the next generation no ahis mahi mahis ,marlins and many more fish we won’t have if over fish our oceans. I feel that overfishing in Hawaii is a major problem for 3 reasons such as people are taking fish that are under the size limit on the fish, another example is people are taking the fish that are the big breeders and they don’t give them a chance to repopulate and for the last example is people are taking more than they need and it could be a waste because it just sits in the freezer.

Although the impact on reef fish is still uncertain. It is however, known that reef fish are losing habitats due to the impacts on corals. The wellbeing, reproduction and overall health of fish due to chemical runoff over time, is still being investigated (Amelia S. Wenger, 2015). Research has identified that chemical runoff is increasing nutrient levels in the water. It is believed that this increase in nutrients is connected to the increase in crown of thorns starfish population, which poses another threat to the reef by impacting coral cover (Amelia S. Wenger, 2015).

1. If overfishing continues hundreds of thousands of fish farmers and medium scale fisheries, often very poor, that depend on aquaculture and fishing, will be out of work. According to the Food and Agriculture

Andy Dehart, Discovery Channel Shark Advisor, spoke about the North Carolina shark over fishing problem. The shark populations on the East Coast were extremely over-fished which lead to the over population of sting rays, a main food-stock for sharks. The stingrays in turn decimated the shellfish populations on the East Coast, leading to calm and shellfish shortages. This shows that sharks are necessary for every eco-system and their destruction affects us in more ways then we can imagine. Sharks are very at-risk for over-fishing because they take a long time to reach the stage where they can reproduce and in general only have a few pups when they give birth.

Many different theories have been suggested to explain why the East Coast Fishery collapsed. A few examples include overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and changes in natural conditions. Primarily, overfishing plays a huge role in the collapse of the East Coast Fishery. The amount of catch allowed by the federal government was extensively high. Scientists may have overestimated the number of fish reaching adulthood each year, due to this more fish were caught then reached maturity. In addition, the collapse of the East Coast Fishery also revolves around the theory of destructive fishing practice. Many fishing practices can be extensively proficient at harvesting fish, but they often accidently catch non- target species, these species (also known as bycatch) are usually thrown/tossed away.

Thankfully, there are solutions that can help restore the Great Barrier Reef. Just as there are several causes to the habitat change of the Great Barrier Reef, there are ways to put the progressing depletion to a stop. One effective solution is to cut farm pollution, or at least keep it from the oceans. Using organic fertilizers instead of harmful chemicals can keep the coral’s water fresh from the dangerous pesticides. If everybody follows pesticide regulations and follows the laws, it mill make a difference for the coral reef.

The population of the largest and most significant vertebrate plants feeds, including sea turtles, dugongs, have been severely decimated by the impacts of humans on the reef. The loss of these vital animals has and will more severely disturb the coral reef food web in a significant manner, although the specific impacts are not clear

“The Disadvantages of Artificial Coral Reefs” from Pets on Mom.me,

Research has shown that sunscreen is having a negeative impact on the health of coral reefs. Trash is dumped and left on beaches daily. Oil spills and boat use disrupt fish and marine life. Erosion has become a big consern for the stability of beaches.

Harmful fishing methods are unnecessarily killing turtles, dolphins, and destroying critical habitats. Global warming is increasing the temperature of the ocean water, reducing the generation of the base of the food web, plankton. The reducing of the plankton generation is causing major marine ecosystem change. Pollution is also a significant environmental issue HAL is facing. More oil reaches the ocean each year, a massive amount of oil has been accidently spilled from ships, which in turn is destroying animal and aquatic plant life.

Due to global warming the oceans water is heating and killing the coral reefs which is affecting the marine life. Of the coast of many southern hemisphere countries corals have damaged the ecosystem and the life cycle. Over the course of 1 year the reefs have minimized in size by around 30%, so in about 5 years it might not even be here. Throughout the years of the bleaching events people have been fighting to finally get their reefs back to where they should be, but with weather they can not control it has been a little challenging. Overall, coral bleaching is a big issue that needs to be addressed because the biggest living structure in the world might yet to be

One of the leading causes for reefs to be endangered is due to the invasive lionfish. The lionfish’s impulsive eating habits are threatening our sea life of the reefs and decreasing our fisheries economically. According to Lionfish Hunters, the green side includes the cleaners that maintain the health of the reef and the health of other fish such as “grazers.” The grazers are the parrotfish, goatfish, wrasses, surgeonfish, and tangs. (The Lionfish Hunters, web.)

In this research paper we will explore more about coral reefs and their importance. Coral reefs are communities of living organisms. They are made up of fishes, plants, and many other creatures. They have been around for millions of years: less than the 0.1% of the world’s ocean floor Is covered by coral reefs, however they grow very slowly, from 0.3 cm to 10 cm per year.