Geography group essay

“Ocean fishing can never be sustainable.”

Some might say over fishing can never be sustainable. However, thanks to campaigns, improving technology, people’s mindset and laws can make overfishing sustainable at a certain rate. 

Overfishing occurs when marine species are caught faster than they can reproduce. Overfishing has been a worldwide problem resulting in serious consequences effecting our society since by late 20th century. Resources from ocean have been declining at a dramatic rate that nowadays 90% of catches has been declined. This has led many species of fishes to extinction such as bluefin, sharks, swordfish, cod and halibut. For bluefin, which is one of the most expensive fish of all kind are now served in the restaurant for humans although it’s almost extinct. 

Overfishing can never be sustainable because first of all, our society demands fish for primary source of protein therefore companies will eventually catch more fish to earn more money. Also improving technology led fishermen to catch fish in a more easier and efficient way. Around the world, illegal fishing has been increasing which includes in 50% in the North Sea has led to more fish being caught. Because of the great economical result in selling the bluefin, ministers want 29.5 million catches although 61 thousand tons is recommended by scientists and leading to this collapse could be inevitable. 

On the other hand, overfishing can result in a sustainable rate. Nowadays, people are aware of the worldwide problem of overfishing and searching for solutions to make fishing sustainable. One of the most effective solutions is the marine protected area which controls the rate of fishing boats. As an example, the governments of Alaska limits the time of catching fishes in the ocean. Another solutions that people have come up with is manmade campaigns. Bigger shopping centers like Walmart is now leading a campaign where they only sell sustainable fish controlled by the MSCs. Thanks to the people’s awareness of overfishing, people are now changing their habits in eating fish. Instead of consuming big and exotic fish people are deciding to eat smaller and less rare fishes for they're dinning. Also in some restaurants such as Nobu in London is putting endangered mark on the menu so people are aware of what they’re eating. This is one way to increase people’s awareness. 

We have been looking at the two sides of the argument and we believe that overfishing can never be sustainable because it is truly difficult to change society’s entire mind set of not eating fish or eating more exotic fish. Also companies are making money out of it, even though some species of fishes are getting endangered, they won’t stop.  If fishing stops worldwide, millions of fishermen will lose their job and people will revolt resulting in bad consequences for the government.

By: Blake Lee, Marco Perez, Do Yoon Kim