Overfishing
70% of the world’s fish species are “depleted” or “fully exploited”
It’s a simple question of math: humans can catch fish far faster than species can reproduce. Between 1950 and 2004, global fishery production rose nearly 650%, putting serious pressure on many large fish, such as tuna, cod, and marlin.
Overfishing also hurts people. Fish is the primary source of protein for one-fifth of the world’s population. Reduced catches reduce waistlines and drain coastal economies—turning fishermen in places like Somalia to livelihoods like piracy.
But recovery is possible. In the 1980s, Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland privatized fishing rights to save fish stocks, and Alaska now hopes to save its fisheries with tradeable catch permits.
what you can do
Select a Seafood Watch Pocket Guide
Use this Seafood Watch Guide to buy ocean-friendly seafood.
From the Blog
2048: The Year of No More Fish
"As a result, a 2006 comprehensive scientific study predicted that 90% of fish that are commercially confiscated from the world’s oceans could be wiped out altogether by 2048."
by the numbers
90
percent of the ocean's edible species may be gone by 2048 http://bit.ly/tp0033
25
percent of the annual marine catch is discarded and thrown overboard http://bit.ly/tp0033
