Water_Resource_Plan_for_Declining_Fish

Water Resource Plan Declining Fish One could think of an oil spill that occurred over the recent summer of 2010, as being one of the most devastating things that could happen to our oceans habitats. However, if we look further into this, I think that a lot of people would be shocked to learn that this really is not the worst thing that is happening to our ocean. You might say yes right, however it is true. I know that it is hard to believe that there could be something worse out there that is destroying our ocean. Now you are probably thinking ok then if the spills and the contamination to our oceans is not the worst thing that is happening what is' Overfishing would be the answer to this, and after reviewing the video Declining Fish Stock VLR, put a whole new light on this for me, I personally did not realize there was such an issue with this. However after reading and researching further, there is realization this is a huge and sometimes silent issue. As one could sit and wonder and ask themselves what exactly is “overfishing' Overfishing can be defined in a number of ways. However, everything comes down to one simple point: Catching too much fish for the system to support leads to an overall degradation to the system. Overfishing is a non-sustainable use of the oceans. Worldwide, fishing fleets are two to three times as large as needed to take present day catches of fish and other marine species and as what our oceans can sustainably support. On a global scale we have enough fishing capacity to cover at least four Earth like planets. On top of the overcapacity many fishing methods are unsustainable in their own way. These methods have a large impact on the basic functioning of our marine ecosystems. These unselective fishing practices and gear cause tremendous destruction on non-target species. Bycatch discards and bottom trawling destruction are two examples of this. Unfortunately, bycatch would best be described as marine life that is thrown back into the ocean dead. Gear that has started to be developed in hopes to eliminate bycatch, would be a device called “pingers.” Pingers are small-sound emitting and dolphin-deterring devices that are attached to fishing nets. Often times, in the past, dolphins have been caught in tuna nets. Dolphins are mammals and do not have gills, the underlying problem would be that, dolphins have drowned while caught in the net underwater due to not being able to get the air needed. Another option that has been developed is escape hatches in the net. Escape hatches allow those species that were not the intended target to escape. While escape hatches are a viable solution, they are not hundred percent reliant or fail proofs, as much of the targeted species have also escaped. With some work, I am sure that a near perfect solution will be developed. After discussing the issues regarding overfishing, the solution seems rather simple, stop pulling so many fish out of the ocean. While that is a huge part of it, I believe there are other steps to follow. If we could look at opening marine reserves to help in the progress in renewing the livelihood of many of the ocean marine life that is slowly fading that we can together bring them back. Marine reserves allow species the freedom to mate, breed, and feed without the pressures of capture or habitat loss. Unfortunately, the average consumer may not be aware of the situation. However, maybe you are and wondered what we could do to help with the given situation most fish that consumers eat are the types of fish that are in danger of being overfished. Unknowingly to many who continue to consume these types of fish, not realizing by the fish that they are consuming is adding to the problem instead of adding a solution to the problem. I do feel with further research and larger voices that need to be heard about the overfishing issues, we will be able to bring the consumption of overfished species to a new level and hopefully a decline with all overfished ocean friends. To bring these issues to light, there are major steps that are very drastic in order to protect our oceans and our marine life. I feel as though we need to look at the situation of overfishing with a code red approach. I believe that regulations need to be enforced to implement the issues that I have laid out. I believe that both commercial and non-commercial fishermen may have a negative outlook on my plan. After all, according to the Declining Fish Stock VLR, commercial fishermen will be hurt the most by the solutions that will be implemented to overfishing. I do understand that this is their way of life, but I also feel that with the helping hand of everyone we can all put our heads and ideas together and everyone can come out on top of this emergency and eye opening situation. I am aware that most if not all of these fishermen have their life savings invested in fishing and depend on it as their major source of income. I know that fishermen want to stay in business, and continue to want a renewable resource; however, doing nothing will have serious consequences. The world’s fisheries are considered an inexhaustible resource, however, again by doing nothing I am afraid to say how true or untrue this sentence could be to everyone. Our resource is already slowly starting to disappear, and in some instances these resources have disappeared. It is not that the damage is not irreversible at least for now we believe that it is, that is why we must act fast and swift. With the steps provided, in the end, it should start to improve the health of our oceans and once again begin to replenish the population of marine life. References: Bittman,M. (2011, April). Overfishing - What’s Worse Than an Oil Spill'. Retrieved August 7, 2011, http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/06-07/overfishing-article.htm (2011,February). Overfishing. Retrieved August 7, 2011, http://overfishing.org/pages/what_is_overfishing.php