Escalante 1

Zachary Escalante
Mrs. Tyree
English III, Per. 6
28 February 2014
Fishing Law Restrictions
Fishing: one of the most well known pastimes of people worldwide. Picture a steaming
hot plate of grilled salmon with lemon and green beans on the side. Imagine, in 50 years, that
same meal will either be for the rich, or not available altogether. A rather recent issue that has
been progressively increasing under the radar, overfishing has produced an unexpected problem
that needs to be addressed immediately. In agriculture, fishing restrictions have created many
opportunities to preserve marine life and will provide a steady management of population for
generations to come.
From necessity to sport, fishing has been around since the first humans walked on this
earth. An initially abundant natural resource, fish were the go-to type of food that one could,
with the proper materials, rely on for a meal at the end of the day. Presently, fishing has now
gone to sport, such as game fishing occurring for no other purpose than to satisfy individual
bragging rights. Also, commercial fishermen are exploiting the natural resource by overshooting
the demand of fishes that are actually needed. Fishing practices, such as target spawning and
subsistence fishing are also negatively impacting fish ecosystems.
Currently there exists recreational and commercial fishing. Commercial fishing occurs
solely for the purpose of generating profit, while recreational fishing is mainly for personal
satisfaction. The division between these two categories of fishing is widening to ominous
proportions. (Myers). Many have long been unaware of this exponentially-increasing universal
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issue. Modern fishing technology is outstripping the supply worldwide (Myers). With these
modern instruments, such as fish fishing technology and depth finders, both commercial and
sport fishermen are now able to save time, as well as spot and catch fish with much ease. Most of
the worlds most important fishing stocks are in precipitous decline (Dean). If this continues, we
will no longer have the luxury of choosing from a variety of fish in stores that we currently take
for granted. Overfishing has long been apparent in places like the North Sea and New England
(Jackson). Although these locations are known for this issue, they have no other choice but to
keep supplying the population with the high demand of fish, unless fishing restrictions are
enforced. Once phenomenally abundant cod, bluefin tuna, and rockfish are severely overfished
(Jackson). In the near future, overfishing may eventually affect other populations of highly
demanded fish. The rate of such ecological extinction is ever increasing so that resilience will
almost certainly decline accordingly (Jackson). The more self-sustainable types of fish will soon
no longer be able to keep up with the increasing rate of population loss. Historical records show
that heavily fished species such as North Atlantic cod, have become progressively scarcerand
the average size of a caught fish smallerover the last century. (Levy). The consequences of
our actions will soon be recognized by the general public, which by then might be far too late.
From New England to Florida, and throughout the Gulf Coast, marine populations are
reeling from overfishing (Myers). Eventually, this problem will spread from the coasts of
America to other parts of the world. The public often underestimated the impact of on- shore
fishing (Scientists). With competitions, as aforementioned, on-shore fishing also adds to the
decreasing number of fish populations. If current fishing practices continue, all the worlds major
commercial stocks will have collapsed by 2048 (Dean). Although competition rules are set in
place, there should be more effective regulations, such as size limitations and shorter harvest
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seasons. This distant future is closer than we imagine, and will certainly affect the next
generation drastically. Foolish fishing practices, such as target spawning aggregations for their
roe before the fish can spawn and the destruction of critical fish habitat by trawling, are major
problems (Jackson). Target spawning aggregations involve fishing in areas where the majority of
fish are reproducing and laying their eggs, which not only eliminates the current generations of
the species, but also stalls the growth of the population. The common act of trawling consists of
a boat dragging a low hanging net below the water in order to bring in catches over long
distances. These actions used in fish habitats can put the reproduction process to a halt.
Evidence suggests that more diverse communitiesrecover more quickly from
disturbances such as overfishing (Jackson). Despite this evidence, eventually, these fishing
techniques will wipe out the communities that sustain the habitat. Subsistence overfishing is a
vastly greater problem in developing countries where fishing whatever meager catch might be
available is commonly a matter of survival (Jackson). Under these conditions, fishermen take
any size fish they catch, despite regulations, which can hinder the expected size of full grown
fish. Rationalization of these fisheries, by limiting the exploitation of the natural resource, will
require subsidies to provide alternative sources of protein and employment (Jackson). An
analysis by Boris Worm and colleagues found that about 27 percent of the worlds fisheries had
collapsed by the year 2003 the same fate awaits fish populations worldwide unless we change
our ways. (Levy). One can assume that since 2003, more than a decade ago, the percentage
collapsed fisheries have been raised, and will continue to increase rapidly. Economists argue
that the maximization of sustainable profit, rather than the maximization of yield, should be the
management objective (Neubert). The establishment and enforcement of fishery management
policies have generated controversy to catch as many fish as possible while conserving the
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resource (Neubert). Many believe the objective to obtain the maximum yield from a fishery
while simultaneously setting aside areas as marine reserves is impossible. As harvesting rates
increase, population size tends to decrease (Neubert). With overfishing increasing, and fish
populations decreasing, this growing issue must be brought to the publics attention quickly, and
make others aware that actions must be taken on both recreational fishing and commercial
industries.
The commercial seafood industry has worked with federal and state managers and
scientists to create an effective management process which promotes sustainable fisheries
(Domestic Fishing). Commercial fishermen are willing to compromise when companies work
hand-in-hand with scientists. Compromising aids future fishing companies, as well as maintains
future fish populations, by agreeing to set regulations. Allocating ownership shares of a
particular fishery to individuals, cooperatives, communities or other entities gives them a reason
to nurture the stock (Dean). In Alaska, a catch-share system adopted in 1995 has transformed an
intense race to catch the last allowable fish into a sustainable and profitable fishery (Dean). Most
stocks could be rescued through catch shares management (Levy). With catch shares, fishermen
have an incentive to preserve a fishery for the future (Levy). With an incentive in place, and
guaranteeing a spot to fish in the future, fishing companies are able to reap the benefits by
maintaining their quota, bringing in profit, and bettering their management system. The
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), a regional management agency, kept fish
populations stable for decades by setting and enforcing a total allowable catch based on data
from at-sea surveys and landings (Levy). These statistics help us presently, as well as in the
future, to set an approximate set maximum of fish allowed to be caught. Season lengths and
profits balanced out after a catch share system was implemented for Alaskan halibut in 1995
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(Levy). Depleted stocks in Namibias waters have been rebuilt through the setting and
enforcement of TACs (Levy). Fisheries will become more sustainable if we can curb
overharvesting and the high rates of gear loss and wasted bycatch that go along with the race of
fish (Levy).
Having marine sanctuaries is vital to the marine life for future generations (Scientists).
Partially protected areas do not have the same effect as full protection (Scientists).
Environmentalists should set aside fully protected areas for the more endangered species to allow
the populations to catch up to their expected numbers. Closures and gear restrictions in fishing
areas can increase fishery revenue and profits (Protected areas). Setting these limits on the
locations of available fishing areas and the type of gear allowed will help ensure the steady rate
of fish growth as well as turn in a healthy profit for fishing companies. The U.S. Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS) said the results of its 12- year study will help usher in a new era of
acceptance for fishery management solutions that provide for local communities while protecting
the worlds priority seascapes (Protected areas). It helps the fishermen when you close an area
because the fish have a chance to grow bigger (Fishing Restrictions). Restriction and
regulation of fishing methods will lend to larger catches of fish (New Regulations). The
government introduced the ban on small fishing nets to allow fish to grow and increase
national fish production (New Regulations). Restrictions are turning out to be the unexpected
savior of a coral reef in the Bahamas that was being overrun by algae and seaweed (Fishing
ban). With set laws in place, the conservation of fish will not only benefit the stabilization of
future fish populations but also protects the ecosystem set that said fish dwell in. With the
restrictions in place, groupers were seven times as plentiful (Fishing ban). As a result, algae
and seaweed that stifle coral growth have been reduced fourfold (Fishing ban). Instituting and
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enforcing more effective fishery regulation with responsible aquaculture restores marine food
webs (Jackson). MPAs do protect endangered species and conserve essential habitats. Inside
reserves, fish population sizes, biomasses, organism sizes, and biological diversity are all
typically higher than they are in ecologically similar but unprotected areas (Neubert).
Regulations on fishing can help conserve the slowly depleting natural resource, as well as
maintain businesses, jobs, and profits to the fishing companies.
The rate at which the fish population is depleting is higher than ever, and we must act
accordingly to sustain and return the numbers to a reasonable rate. Having the proper restrictions
and laws set forth to reduce the amount of overfishing can help solve this ever-growing problem.
Fishing restrictions will save the natural resource and maintain a constant flow of marine life for
years to follow. By working together and making this current issue a vocal topic, we can
guarantee that, for generations to follow, there will be an abundance of choice fish available for
consumption, as well as recreational purposes.
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Works Cited
Dean, Cornelia. "Privately Owned Fisheries May Help Shore Up Stocks." New York Times
19 Sept. 2008: A13(L). Student Resources in Context. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
Domestic Fishing Industry asks Congress to Scuttle New Ocean Regulations. PR
Newswire 7 Nov. 2011. Student Resources in Context. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.
Fishing ban comes to aid of coral reef. New Scientist 189.2534 (2006): 19. Student
Resources in Context. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
Fishing Restrictions Bring Better Catches, Says Study. Africa News Service 21 May 2010.
Student Resources in Context. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
Jackson, Jeremy B.C. "Imagining the oceans in 2025: entire ecosystems teeter on the brink
of extinction as slime and dead zones take over." The American Prospect 19.12 (2008):
A4+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Levy, Sharon. "Catch shares management: catch share systems may be an improvement
over traditional fisheries management, but there are problems." BioScience 60.10
(2010): 780+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
Myers, Charlie. "Range war!" Outdoor Life Mar. 1996: 10+. Student Resources in Context.
Web. 16 Jan. 2014.
Neubert, Michael. "Can we catch more fish and still preserve the stock? Mathematical
analyses offer new insights into age-old controversies on fishing restrictions." Oceanus
43.2 (2005): 45+. Student Resources in Context. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
New Regulations to Stimulate Fishing. Africa News Service 17 Sept. 2010. Student
Resources in Context. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
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Protected areas increase fishing profits. UPI NewsTrack 19 May 2010. Student Resources
in Context. Web. 15 Jan. 2014.
Scientists want fishing ban back. Newcastle Herald [Newcastle, Australia] 14 Jan. 2014:
2. Student Resources in Context. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.

Excellent!
Content: 40/40; Organization: 30/30; Grammar: 20/20; MLA: 10/10 Grade: 100