Add Over-Fishing to the Huge Government Debt as Examples of How We Are Consuming Beyond Our Means
Posted on October 4, 2012 Comments (5)
Fish are hidden under the water so the unsustainable harvesting isn’t quite as obvious as the unsustainable government debt but they both are a result of us living beyond our sustainable production. You can live well by consuming past wealth and condemning your decedents to do without. That is the way we continue to live. Over-fishing a century ago was not as obviously dangerous as it is today. But we have witnessed many instances of overfishing devastating the fishing economy (when the fishing is unsustainable the inevitable result is collapse and elimination of the vast majority of the food and income that previous generations enjoyed).
The normal pattern has been to turn to more aggressive fishing methods and new technology to try and collect fish as over-fishing devastates yields. This, of course, further devastates the state of the resources and makes it so recovery will take much much longer (decades – or more).
New research shows the existing problems and the potential if we apply science and planning to manage fisheries effectively.
The good news is that this decline is not universal: fisheries are starting to rebound in many areas across the globe and we can learn from these examples. Recovery trends are strongest for fisheries where data on the status of the fishery exists, and in which managers and fishermen have made science-based decisions and stuck with them in the face of political pressure.
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The amount of fish brought to shore could increase 40 percent on average – and double in some areas – compared to yields predicted if we continue current fishing trends.
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The management solutions to overfishing are well known, tested and proven to work. While these solutions are not “one-size-fits-all” for fisheries, there are common themes. Specifically, managers and fishermen must: 1. Reduce fishing to allow stocks to rebuild; 2. Set catches at a sustainable level that is based on the best available scientific and economic information rather than short-term political pressures; and 3. Prevent dangerous fishing activities that destroy habitat, wildlife, or breeding fish.
The over fishing problem is difficult because our nature is to ignore problems that are not immediate. But the costs of doing so are very large. If we don’t behave more wisely our children will pay the price. And, in fact, this problem is so acute now that those of us that expect to live a couple decades can expect to pay the price. In rich countries this will be tolerable, a bit less fish at much higher prices. In rich countries food prices are a minor expense compared to the billions of those not living in rich countries. They will suffer the most. As will those that have jobs directly dependent on fishing.
Related: Fishless Future – European Eels in Crisis After 95% Decline in Last 25 years – Let the Good Times Roll (using Credit) – SelFISHing – Running Out of Fish – The State of the Oceans is Not Good – Chinook Salmon Vanish Without a Trace
Categories: Animals, Economics, Life Science, Research, Science
Tags: Economics, fish, food, green, management, ocean, Research, Science, science facts, seafood
5 Responses to “Add Over-Fishing to the Huge Government Debt as Examples of How We Are Consuming Beyond Our Means”
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October 5th, 2012 @ 12:54 pm
Unfortunately, much like the current debt crisis, measures will be taken to keep the house of cards intact, instead of addressing the foundation and building a new house on stronger footing. The lure of short term profitability and unsustainable growth blinds our leaders to the inevitability of eventual collapse. Like everything else, they’ll “kick the can down the road” and let someone else worry about it when the inevitable comes to pass.
You raise a very good point about rich countries vs poor countries. For us, seafood is a luxury we can afford to do without if necessary. But for billions of people around the world, their very lives depend on it.
October 8th, 2012 @ 1:07 am
In Australia there’s been a massive stink about the FV Abel Tasman super trawler. It was only after a huge outcry from the general public that the politicians actually did something about it, initially they granted the permits!
October 8th, 2012 @ 3:23 am
This post tries to bring to our notice the unnoticed. It is true that today’s generation is paying the price for the overuse of things by the earlier generations. Take petrol for example, it has been used to the extent that we run the risk of petrol being extinct in the near future. Its high time that we today start taking measures that will make up for the losses and I believe scientific measures will be the best to recover for the loss.
April 3rd, 2016 @ 11:01 am
[…] But the damage done to topsoil and other damage including pollution of our rivers is huge. Overfishing and factory farms are keeping us going today but are doing immense damage and are not […]
April 2nd, 2017 @ 4:38 pm
[…] If we just pay attention to the science and make wise decisions with an understanding of systems we can improve the situation. […]