Protecting Our Ocean Resources: Overfishing

Growing concerns of our ocean resources call for a solution that protect ocean species from extermination and satisfy human consumption and economic resources. Potential solutions for issues surrounding possible overfishing and other problems associated with commercial fishing have been in debate and have resulted in the enactment of different maritime laws.

Although many laws today exist to protect species from overfishing, many of these species have been harvested so much that their numbers have been severely depleted (Berg & Hager, 2007). Recognizing the issues, understanding and evaluating current management and sustainment plans, developing new management and sustainability plans, and addressing how these plans impact our ocean resource challenges, are important steps in resolving issues surrounding our ocean resources. Action must be taken to protect our ocean resources to maintain a renewable resource that our oceans were intended to be.

What Are the Problems?

Axia College of University of Phoenix (2007) explains how major scientific studies show that commercial fishing has depleted the sea of over 90% of big fish. Axia College of University of Phoenix also makes the claim that the over fishing of these species cause more destruction to the ocean environment than toxic pollution and degrading water quality. Although many will concede that the current levels of damage done to the population of big fish are reversible, suggestions to substantially curb the amount of harvesting is being met with political and economic resistance.

Figure 1. Ocean Resource Availability for Big Fish.

This figure has been omited from text. Please see attatched image file.
Note. Data from Axia College of University of Phoenix (2007).

Commercial fisherman show their concerns of establishing no fishing zones by pointing out that the commercial fishing industry will be hurt most by any sanctions (Axia College of University of Phoenix, 2007). Trying to sustain the world population by harvesting the 10% of the big fish population that is left is not feasible and needs attention. Commercial fisherman state that they have to have a renewable resource to have a successful industry, but state that simply prohibiting harvesting in fishery regions is not the answer to this problem (Axia College of University of Phoenix).

Factors - Contributing and Affecting

There are many factors contributing and affecting the decline in fish population. Some of these mitigating factors include fishing techniques, human population growth, world wide education of the resource problem, and lack of efficient management and sustainment plans.

Commercial fishing techniques hold liability for overfishing. One problematic issue impacting our ocean resources by overfishing is by-catch. Many species that are endangered are continuing to be overfished as a result of by-catch. According to Dore and Laursen (2007), by-catch is the collateral damage from catching the target fish. By-catch or the unintended fish that are being caught usually get thrown back, but many times are too damaged to survive and many die (Dore & Laursen). This by-catch causes the unintended decline in species such as the widely publicized bottle-nosed dolphin.

A second issue impacting our ocean resources from commercial fishing techniques is damage to our ocean habitats. Trawling is a very popular method of harvesting ocean resources such as shrimp, scallops, snappers, clams, and sole (Dore & Laursen, 2007). Trawling is a fishing process where a net is dragged across the ocean floor to collect these resources (Dore & Laursen). Dore and Laursen explain that "Trawling damages the sea floor, which is where many fish breed and feed, and, once damaged, the sea floor can take centuries to regenerate." These fishing techniques can exacerbate declining fish populations that are already struggling from overfishing. New methods of species specific catching techniques need to be explored to help reduce the impact of by-catch on overfished and endangered species.

Human population growth holds accountability for overfishing as well. As human population grows, so does the demand for ocean resources. Solow and Stegeman (2002) claim that 50% of the world's population lives within 124 miles of the coast. This increase in demand for food is naturally met by the closest abundant resource, the sea.

With the population growth, accommodations for housing and industry are concentrated in coastal cities. These coastal cities, under development, and sustaining a growing population are responsible for polluting the same waters we pull our food resources from. Even with a sustainment plan addressing overfishing, species will falter in their attempt to recover by coastal pollution. The coastal pollution is the result of building, agriculture and industrial runoff, burning of fossil fuels, and disposal of human and animal waste; all of which is carried by ground water, surface water, and atmospheric deposition (Solow & Stegeman, 2002). Solow and Stegeman (2002, Para 7), state that "Toxic pollution in the marine environment is of greatest concern in the coastal ocean...one of the particularly dramatic form of toxic contamination is associated with oil spills". Only 5% of the oil contamination comes from oil tanker spills, sewage treatment discharge roughly 10%, and 85% of the contamination results from runoff, ship operations, and disposal practices (Solow & Stegeman, 2002). Solow and Stegeman continue to explain that chemicals from costal development and habitation create the most serious risk to our marine life and that maintaining integrity and health of the coastal environment is vital to sustain marine and human life.

Figure 2. Contribution of Oil Contamination by Coastal Cities.

This figure has been omited from text. Please see attatched image file.
Note. Data from Solow and Stegeman (2002).

Another contributing factor to the serious decline of the fish population from our ocean resources hinges on the lack of education. Worldwide, the people of nations that consume the ocean resources need to understand the factors that put our ocean resources in decline. Programs and information need to be promoted to individuals explaining problems our ocean resources face and what role individuals can play in reversing the damage caused by overfishing and the mitigating factors that aggravate it.

Solving complicating matters that impact so many different areas of people's lives is difficult. From the consumer, fisherman, builder, importer, exporter, citizen, business person, or politician; multiple needs must be met. Unfortunately, sustainment plans that focus on compromise, education, and revitalization of fish population growth fall short in meeting the needs of all the parties involved. In fact, no such sustainment and management plans exist.

Current Management and Sustainment Plans

Although no current viable management and sustainment plan exist, many acts and maritime laws have been established to address overfishing. One such act is the Magnuson-Stevens fishery conservation and management act. This act defines the term by-catch and implements regulations to fisherman to (A) minimize by-catch and (B) to the extent that by-catch cannot be avoided, minimize by-catch mortality (Banaka & Dobrzynski, 2004). The Magnuson-Stevens act also describes the processes that determine the allowable quotas for species based on scientific research of declining fish stock in specific fishery regions (Banaka & Dobrzynski, 2004). The problem with this act is the loopholes that are taken advantage of and an incomplete science on determining quota levels. Besides the Magnuson-Stevens act, acts such as the Endangered Species act are aimed at protecting the intentional trapping, harassing, selling, or possessing animals on the endangered species list such as the leatherback turtle and pacific salmon (Banaka & Dobrzynski, 2004). More such by-catch or species protection acts exist and are enforced, but hardly address a solid plan to confront overfishing and by-catch which go hand-in-hand.

A New Management and Sustainment Plan

With roughly 133 million tons of fish being harvested in the world every year (Berg & Hager, 2007), sustainment and management of fish populations is a global concern. A good management and sustainment plan addresses concerns on both sides of the issue and takes into account potential impacts on the community; specifically jobs, resources, and lifestyles.

Management and Sustainment Plan

Sustainment Action Items, Sustainment Action Steps, and Time Line

Creation of Special Congressional Committee:

Appointed by elected representatives to oversee studies, implementation of programs, presentation of information and bills to congress, and hold accountability for success of sustainment plan.

Creation of committee in Month 1 - Length of committee appointment would be ongoing.

Community Education:

Develop and distribute information media explaining issues surrounding overfishing and the potential hazards of not correcting the declining population size.

Initial Development in Month 1-2. Initial Distribution in Month 2-4. Community Updates would be ongoing.

Aquaculture Placement Feasibility Study:

Appoint scientists to perform feasibility study on placement of new aquaculture programs to resurge declining fish population. Placement feasibility to include areas where aquaculture areas have the least environmental impact.

To begin Month 1-12. After initial study, future studies will be ongoing.

Regional Fishery Population Study:

Appoint scientists to perform fishery population studies to determine regionally where overfishing has the most impact and to determine locations of limited or no fishing zones.

To begin Month 1-12. After initial study, future studies will be ongoing to determine recovery and declination of fish species populations.

Development and Approval of Government Subsidy Program:

Appoint a sub-committee to determine average tonnage harvested per year, per company. Sub-committee will develop program to subsidize initial economic losses to commercial fishing companies due to management and sustainment plan.

Starting Month 1-12

Development of By-Catch Research Group:

Appoint researchers to investigate, study, and test new fishing techniques to lessen impact of by-catch.

Starting Month 1-12

Development of Costal Clean-up committee:

Appoint counsel people to organize ideas and investigate methods to keep coastal waters free of contaminants.

Starting Month 1-12

Development of Compact Development Plans for New Costal Developments:

Employ architects to design standards for compact development in costal cities. Plans should minimize encroachment on terrestrial resources and waterfronts.

Starting Month 1-12

Regional Placement of Aquaculture Programs:

Start construction of new aquaculture areas and begin cultivation. Area will remain under study to evaluate environmental impact.

Starting Month 13

Implement By-catch Research Study:

Begin research on new fishing techniques to reduce by-catch.

Starting Month 13

Designation of No and Limited Fishing Zones:

Determine and institute no and limited fishing zones based on feasibility study. These zones are in national waters and under continuing studying for lifting of restrictions.

Starting Month 13

Enactment of Regulations Ordained by Clean-up Committee:

Institute new regulations and programs that keep contaminants in coastal waters to minimum levels.

Starting Month 13

Mandate Compact Development Plans:

Enforce new standard of compact development in developing coastal cities. Should be regulated by building and zoning inspectors

Starting Month 13

Calculation and Distribution of Government Subsidies:

Calculate and distribute government subsidies to commercial fishing companies.

Starting Month 25

Review of Government Subsidy Program:

Review government subsidy program. Evaluate program to determine if subsidy program should remain in effect. This will be an annual review.

Starting Month 25-28

Review of Management and Sustainment Plan:

Collect data from ongoing studies and determine effectiveness of management and sustainment plan. Modify management and sustainment plan to meet program goals.

Starting Month 25-28

Test New Processes Developed by By-catch Research Group:

Test and implement new process that limit by-catch by current fishing techniques.

Starting Month 25

International Information Sharing:

Determine overall success of program. Outline successes of program and share information internationally to influence implementation of program in different nations.

Starting Month 37

Benefits and Challenges to Sustainment Plan

This management and sustainment plan satisfies many concerns for environmentalist. Placing limits on the harvesting of different species of fish in regions that are at dangerously low numbers and establishing no fishing zones in regions that are at higher extremes of population decimation, allows these fish species to recover. An aquaculture program will also help increase population numbers of species that have been overfished. In addition to these programs, informing the community of the ocean resource problems will raise program support and help hold accountability to commercial fishing companies to maintain environmental standards.

There may be negative responses to this management and sustainment plan as well. Because this program will take time to develop, commercial fisherman will be able to harvest to the limits of current maritime laws and continue to reduce numbers of fish species at unacceptable numbers. Aquaculture raises environmental concerns too. According to Berg and Hager (2007), because of the dense population of fish and the type of carnivorous fish being cultivated, the surrounding environment could be impacted by organic pollution and decreasing numbers of other smaller species of fish.

Commercial fisherman will also be affected positively. As previously stated, commercial fisherman need a renewable resource to maintain a healthy industry. Aquaculture, limited fishing areas, and no fishing zones help increase the numbers of fish that commercial fisherman need to maintain a healthy enterprise. The government subsidy program outlined in this plan also ensures commercial fisherman that annual losses, during the beginning of this species population resurgence, will be subsidized with federal aid and shows these companies that nationally we will all have a stake in protecting and regenerating the fish population.

This management plan will be seen as having a negative impact as well. Because popular fishing areas may become temporary no fishing or limited fishing areas, commercial fisherman may need to travel further to new or unfamiliar fishing areas. This will impact commercial fishing companies financially and reduce their normal annual yield of fish products. Another concern for commercial companies is the length of time it takes for fish species to recover. If natural spawning and aquaculture are not effective at producing a rapid growing population of fish, areas could be limited or closed for long periods of time. Barnard (2002) makes the claim that some species of fish could take as long as 90 years to recover. Fishing companies may also face negative impact from communities, essentially having blame placed on the industry for the decline in the fish population due to overfishing.

Community Impact

This management plan will impact the community in different areas. Most significantly, people will become more aware of the problem our ocean resources face with potential overfishing and declining fish populations. Because government subsidies will aid in financial loss to commercial fisherman, the impact of jobs should be minimal. However, the eating habits of the community may see change. Until a population increase in fish species reach sustainable levels, consumers may see less of there favorite fish in markets or see price increases. According to Barnard (2002), fishing restrictions of this sort have led to fishing income declines from 10 percent to 20 percent for many coastal communities.

Required Support

Support for the proposed sustainment and management plan extends to the individual, governments, and global community. Individual support includes supporting appropriate tax levies, approving new laws, holding respectable parties accountable to regulations, and maintaining education on the challenges and actions being taken on the sustainment and management of our ocean resources. Individual support is where change starts. Governments, politicians, and business bend to the will of the people and if the people demand change, these people and agencies are obliged to take action.

Governmental support is required to educate communities and nations about the changes and challenges surrounding our ocean resources. Government support will also show its form by enforcing acts and laws as well as holding accountability to those who engage in activities that put ocean resources at risk. Governments can also apply global pressure to comply with strategies that are proven to work and by presenting plausible management and sustainment plans to organizations such as the United Nations.

Global support is required to maximize the potential of recovery from overfishing. Only a global effort can reverse the damage that has already been caused. Organizations such as the United Nations are in position to apply global pressure to mitigate change. A proven method of management and sustainment that meets the compromising needs of all parties involved will change the habits that are causing our declining fish stock.

Conclusion

As we have seen, overfishing is an issue recognized by environmentalist, governments, scientists, and commercial fisherman. Globally we all want to maintain fish species at sustainable levels. Coming to an agreement on a management and sustainability plan is important to prevent further damage to our ocean resources. The management and sustainability plan presented delivers solutions that benefit environmentalist, commercial fisherman, the declining fish population, and the community. This plan is able to be put in place with negligible impact to the community, commercial income, or government resource. In addition to implementing this management and sustainability plan, attention to secondary damage from fishing techniques, human population growth, and lack of ocean resource challenge education should be considered before these species are too far depleted to make a comeback.

References:

Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2007). Declining Fish Stock. Retrieved January 24, 2008, from Axia College, Week Six VLR, aXcess, SCI275-Environmental Science Course Web site.

Banaka, L. R., & Dobrzynski, T. J. (2004). The National Marine Fisheries Service's National Bycatch Strategy. Marine Fisheries Review, 66(2), 1-8. Retrieved February 13, 2008, from Academic Search Premier Database.

Barnard, J. (2002, June 5). Fishing restrictions may increase danger. Retrieved January 25, 2008, from http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/73291_fish05.shtml

Berg, L. R., & Hager, M. C. (2007). The Ocean and Fisheries. In Visualizing Environmental Science (pp. 262-285). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Dore, S., & Laursen, A. (2007, September 24). Fishing for Environmental Answers. Retrieved January 26, 2008, from http://www.metronews.ca/column.aspx?id=78418

Solow, A. R., & Stegeman, J. J. (2002, November). Environmental Health and the Coastal Zone. Environmental Health Perspectives, 110(11), A660-A661. Retrieved February 12, 2008, from Academic Search Premier Database.