Graph analysis:
This graph shows the world’s fish stocks in 2004, so not very long ago. Only 23% of the world’s seas are moderately or under exploited for fish. On the other hand most of the seas are either fully exploited meaning fish have minimal chance of reproducing or over exploited so fish have no chance to reproduce. Shockingly 7% of fish population is dying out fast and is continuing to do so at a very pace. Only 1% of fish is recovering, a very poor statistic.
Which species are most at risk? Why?
Here are the most endangered species:
1. Blue fin tuna
These fish are being wiped out because of their high price in restaurants and their stocks have depleted incredibly
2. Chinook salmon
These live in the north west of the pacific and their habitats or places where they spawn is being destroyed. Scientists predict that by 2016 we won’t have any Chinooks left in the world.
3. Steelhead trout
Steelhead trout are live in Californian Rivers. Since the 1950s the Steelhead Trout population has decreased by 90 percent. The Steelhead's habitat is continually being taken by humans.
What are the methods of fishing that are causing problems?
In the fishing industry there are some horrendous ways of getting fish. Here are three I found:
Purse seining
It is one of the most aggressive types of fishing in the world. This type of fishing plays a big part in the death of dolphins.
Beam trawl
In this method a net is thrown in and is dragged across the sea bed. This disturbs fish so they rise and get trapped in the net and many of the fish that get trapped are not meant to be there.
Explosive fishing
One of the worst ways of fishing because the dynamite that explodes doesn’t only kill fish but all the coral and this is why it prohibited in many countries .
What should we do as individuals and as a nation?
There are many things that we could do as individuals and as a nation.
As individuals, one thing we could do is only buy fish that are certified by known fish protecting agencies. Also don’t buy fish from fish farms because it’s one of the worst ways of getting fish.
As a nation we should put pressure on MPs, MEPs to take the matter of fish seriously and to propose protections on depleted fish and fully exploited fish.
By Abdul Mahmoud 10.2
