Threats to Fish and Fishing Communities

A salmon tradition at risk in Alaska from The Story Group.

Abundance. The richness of fish populations is one reason they have played such vital roles in religion and culture. But that very wealth is now in jeopardy.

One fifth of the protein eaten by people around the world comes from marine animals. As human populations rise and technology intensifies, the growing demand takes a ever-greater toll on wild fish populations.

Take the example of Canada’s Atlantic cod fishery. It sustained the lives and livelihoods of fishing communities for hundreds of years. But a leap in harvest intensity in the  latter 20th century led to a population collapse in 1992. Despite a moratorium to allow regeneration, the fishery shows no sign of recovery.

Bluefin tuna, orange roughy, and jack mackerel are just a few of the species in serious decline. Although harvest intensity continues to increase, world catch of wild fish peaked in 1980. Scientists around the world are studying how to prevent additional collapses and support recovery.

Overharvesting is only one cause of fish declines. Other causes include:

• Loss of coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands
• Damage or blockage of spawning streams
• Chemical and plastic pollution
• Warming waters and ocean acidification
  
  

Sophisticated technology enables some large-scale operations to tracked down fish by air and harvest them in vast quantities. Yet many fishers work from small boats, using knowledge and traditional gear, and catching only enough to feed their families. These traditional fishing communities depend on healthy local fish populations to survive.

Eating sustainable seafood—and serving it a community events--is a great place to start helping global fish populations. Also important is learning more about fish conservation issues through books such as Mark Kurlansky’s Cod.  Legislation is also much needed; please support the National Ocean Policy and Fisheries Act and other efforts to regulate national and international ocean exploitation.