Ocean on the Edge
Top 10 Ocean Issues
Overfishing and Bycatch
Global positioning systems and advances in fishing technologies have proven to be so effective in capturing fish that we are seriously overfishing many species. We have mastered the art of fishing to such a degree that our success has outpaced the ability of nature to replenish itself. The cost of our success in catching large numbers of target species also has led to the unintended catch of many more unwanted fish—so called bycatch. It also has led to unintentional captures of seabirds, marine mammals, and turtles. Whether measured in environmental degradation, the impact on biological diversity, or the astounding number of animals caught as bycatch, the demand for seafood comes with a “price tag” higher than most of the public realizes.
Some solutions may be found in new fishing gear that reduces bycatch and environmental damage, and in aquaculture or fish farming that reduces pressure on wild stocks. If we are to conserve our wild fish populations, aquaculture must play a larger role in the future to meet the growing demand for seafood. NOAA has stated that the current U.S. aquaculture production of half a million tons of seafood annually needs to be quadrupled by 2025 to meet the growing demand. Aquaculture experts are looking at ways to reduce the environmental and social impacts of aquaculture to make it sustainable. For example, shrimp is a very popular item that produces large amounts of bycatch when wild caught. While shrimp farms can cause devastating environmental consequences as well, there are some well-operated shrimp farms. The promise of fish farming may be one of the only ways to meet the demands of our growing population. Despite early challenges in many ocean fish farming operations, it can be done in ways that do not harm the environment. And a fish farm requires much less fuel and other resources than boats that need to go out to sea to fish. While it will not replace well-managed wild caught fisheries, aquaculture may be able to sustainably fill an ever growing demand for fresh and affordable seafood.
