COMMERCIAL FISHING ISSUES 1

Commercial Fishing Issues:

Maintaining a Sustainable Seafood Industry

The University of South Florida

COMMERCIAL FISHING ISSUES 2

Abstract

Commercial fishing is a global, billion dollar per year industry that provides seafood and

shellfish to many international consumers. Specifically in the United States, the notion of “over

fishing” has created concern from environmental groups when it comes to commercial fishing

practices and reporting. Commercial fishing has evolved into a highly profitable industry that

focuses on meeting quotas of buyers in the quickest and most efficient time possible; not always

the legal way. Estimates acknowledge that fisheries and ecosystems are in a downward spiral,

although intense fishing regulations have been created by countries where commercial fishing

occurs. Scientific evidence has made a bold claim that within a few decades, commercial fishing

will be an obsolete business due to the extremely low quantity of fish available to harvest.

Ecosystems have also been affected from the machinery and massive nets used by commercial

fishing companies to gain as much profit as possible. Finding a viable solution to the commercial

fishing pandemic is necessary in order to combat specie extinction. By maintaining a sustainable

world wide fishing industry, both fish and ecosystems would be replenished and not eradicated.
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References

Agardy, M. T., Dayton, P. K., Hofman, R. J., & Thrush, S. F. (1995). Environmental effects of

marine fishing. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 5, 205-232.

Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/73980.pdf

The environmental effects that impact fish are exploited throughout this journal article.

By-catch and incidental netting of marine life (turtles, birds, etc.) are both cited as

biological problems that are directly correlated to commercial fisherman. Fisherman

need to have net regulations that accommodate other animals besides fish. The authors

conclude that in order to maintain a viable marine ecosystem, commercial fishing

methods need to be altered in order to not destroy the habitats where fish breed and

flourish.

Agnew, D. J., Beddington, J. R., & Clark, C. W. (2007). Current Problems in the Management of

Marine Fisheries. Science/AAAS, 316, 1713-1716. Retrieved September 24, 2010, from

http://www.illegal-fishing.info/uploads/Science-article-220607.pdf

In this journal article, the authors note the regulations and administrative efforts to

protect commercially harvested fish are very weak. The article points to officials who

govern fisheries as the party at fault for problems with oceanic ecosystems. The authors

suggest that regulations need to be created and enforced in order to let ecosystems

flourish and not create inhabitable living conditions for fish.

Agnew, D. J., Beddington, J. R., Pearce, J., Peatman, T. , Pitcher, J. , & Pramod, G. , et al.

(2009). Estimating the Worldwide Extent of Illegal Fishing. PLoS ONE, 4(2), 1-8.
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Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi

%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0004570

In this journal article, fisherman are to blame for misinforming governing bodies of the

amount of fish caught. The fishing losses, due to poor reporting, is a multi-billion dollar

operation, world wide, every year. The authors maintain that the problem is a topic of

minor discussion, but international interest needs to occur to bring the problem toward

countries that commercially fish.

Ault, J, Golletquer, P., & Heral, M., Rothschild, B. (1994). Decline of the Chesapeake Bay oyster

population: a century of habitat destruction and overfishing. Marine Ecology Progress

Series, III, 29-39. Retrieved September 23, 2010, from

http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/1994/publication-3080.pdf

The authors focus on oysters as a problem of over fishing (compared to finned fish). In

Chesapeake Bay, oyster populations have exponentially decreased. Experts originally

attributed the decrease to water quality and other minor factors, however, overfishing is

a serious concern that has caused oyster populations to drop. The authors suggest a

management strategy in order to put the decision in the hand of fishery overseers, rather

than the fishermen.

Balmford, A., Gravestock, P., Hockley, N., McClean, C. J., & Roberts, C. M. (2004). The

worldwide cost of marine protected areas. PNAS, 101(26), 9694-9697. Retrieved

September 24, 2010, from http://www.pnas.org/content/101/26/9694.full

This journal article deals with the effects of a theoretical global oceanic conservation

program. The authors make claim that the program would cost billions of dollars
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(yearly) and create roughly one million jobs. By focusing administrative attention on

marine preservation areas (MPAs), the authors point out that fisheries can be sustained

over time. The authors believe that the economic impact of marine conservation is a

beneficial idea in the fight against overfishing and that implementation is pertinent.

Ban, N. C., & Vincent, A. C.J.. (2009). Beyond Marine Reserves: Exploring the Approach of

Selecting Areas where Fishing Is Permitted, Rather than Prohibited. PLoS ONE, 4(7), 1-8.

Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi

%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0006258

The authors suggest that conservation of marine resources (fish and ecosystems) does

not have to be a detriment to fisherman. Instead, the authors point out that reduction of

catches will allow fisheries to naturally replenish. Fisherman are the key group that is I

involved in the argument since the question of job and financial loss are brought up

throughout the article. By simply reducing fish catches, sustainability can partially be

achieved and fisherman can still continue working.

Big-Fish Stocks Fall 90 Percent Since 1950, Study Says. (2003, May 15). National Geographic.

Retrieved September 23, 2010, from

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0515_030515_fishdecline.html

This newspaper article from National Geographic discusses the rapid decline in fish

populations that are commercially fished. The article focuses on the scientific efforts

from university professors to show empirical evidence that many large fish species,

especially the tuna, are at risk of extinction. The article points out that cutting current

fishing levels in half will sustain fisheries but still not restore them to the once bountiful
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levels.

Brander, K. (2006). The role of growth changes in the decline and recovery of North Atlantic cod

stocks since 1970. Journal of Marine Science, 64, 211-217. Retrieved September 24,

2010, from http://icesjms.oxfordjournals.org/content/64/2/211.full.pdf+html

Cod has been a major fish that is over harvested, especially on the east coast of the

United States and Canada. Cod fisheries are also pointed out to be reasons for European

immigration and industry. The author points out various reasons for the cod decline

(besides overfishing) and how the problem can be solved in order to find reasoning and

answers for other varieties of fish.

Cho, J. (2010, May 10). Northeast Ohio seafood prices rise in advance of tighter supply of Gulf

fish. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved September 23, 2010, from

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/cleveland-

area_seafood_prices.html

This article, although related to over fishing, involves the other threats involved in fish

markets and fish consumption. In a Cleveland, Ohio fish market, prices have increased

due to the Gulf Oil Spill. These increased prices turn away potential buyers and in

essence, temporarily relieve over fishing worries. On the other hand, fish are still

affected by human intervention (oil spill). This accident is damaging the already fragile

habitats for fish, further decreasing fish stocks.

Chopin, F. S., & Arimoto, T. (1995). The condition of fish escaping from fishing gears -- a

review. Fisheries Research, 21, 315-327. Retrieved September 24, 2010, from

http://www.wgftfb.org/reports_of_interest/Chopin_survival.pdf
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When it comes to catching fish, trawling is a major problem for sustaining fish

populations. Trawling involves dragging heavy nets and literally catching every sea

creature that isn't small enough to escape through the net. As noted by the authors, these

nets destroy fish habitats and make species preservation even more challenging. The

fish that are damaged or injured by inadvertent catch from the net are the topic of the

article. By letting these fish, dolphins, sharks etc. escape unharmed, indirect species that

are caught will have a higher survival rate.

Davies, A. J., Roberts, J. M., & Hall-Spencer, J. (2007). Preserving deep-sea natural heritage:

Emerging issues in offshore conservation and management. Science Direct, 138, 299-312.

Retrieved September 24, 2010, from

http://media.eurekalert.org/aaasnewsroom/MCM/FIL_000000001165/Davies%20Roberts

%20Hall-Spencer.pdf

This journal article deals with the monitoring and maintenance of areas conservation

areas (areas where fishing is prohibited). Fishing vessels are constantly seeking new

areas where fish are plentiful and at times, enter zones where fishing is prohibited.

Monitoring these areas, by satellite, would protect habitats and fish who live in them.

The authors suggest this technology as a cheaper way to enforce global fishing

regulations.

Duda, A. M., & Sherman, K. (1999). An ecosystem approach to global assessment and

management of coastal waters. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 190, 271-298. Retrieved

September 24, 2010, from http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/190/m190p271.pdf

To conserve fisheries and ecosystems, a fund has been set up to aid countries who are
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interested in preserving ecosystems. The article points out the lack of political and

economic impact on marine conservation. The fund that is set up will directly aid

programs with the United Nations countries who are currently, or interested in

attempting a sustainability program.

Jacquet, J. L. (2009, April 27). Fish photos from the Florida Keys: The Shifting Baselines Story

of 2009. Science Blogs. Retrieved September 23, 2010, from

http://scienceblogs.com/guiltyplanet/2009/04/fish_photos_from_florida_keys.php

This newspaper article shows pictures of commercially caught fish from a charter

company. Throughout the companies fifty year existence in the Florida Keys, fish had

gradually become smaller and caught in less quantity. A statistic is given about the cost

of the fishing charter remaining the same (with inflation factored in) however, the fish

are small and not the large, sought after group of decades past. The author agrees that

ecosystems are in trouble and uses this news story as a means of conveying the

ecosystem destruction from charter fishing.

Jones, H. P., & Schmitz, O. J. (2009). Rapid Recovery of Damaged Ecosystems. PLoS ONE,

4(5), 1-6. Retrieved September 25, 2010, from http://www.plosone.org/article/info

%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005653

This article deals with the negative human impact on marine ecosystems due to

commercial fishing. According to the authors, it would take decades to repair the fragile

reefs and habitats of fish due to the destructive methods associated with commercial

fishing. The article makes claim that ecosystems can change only if humans (fisherman)

are more careful and respectful toward the environments that they are endangering. By
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using fishing methods that don't act deep reefs and habitats, habitats can be sustained

for future fishing.

MacKenzie, D. (2008, September 18). 'Shares' in fish stocks halt commercial free-for-all . New

Scientist. Retrieved September 25, 2010, from

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14762-guaranteed-fish-quotas-halt-commercial-

freeforall.html?feedId=online-news_rss20

This journal article stresses the importance of reviving fisheries with management

reformation. Current policies with fisheries are very basic and do not solve the root of t

the problem. The article states staggering statistics about the rapid decrease in oceanic

fish over the past few decades. The top fishery management overseers are not creating

strong enough rules and laws against overfishing and still need to address this problem

before time runs out.

Murray, R. (Producer and Director). (2009). The End of the Line [Documentary] United

Kingdom: Arcane Pictures.

In this documentary about commercial fishing problems throughout the world, the

director focuses on dismal amounts of fish that are able for commercial harvest.

Commercial fisherman are on the front lines of the argument due to years of false

reporting and negligence while working. The director implies that he angered by the

lack of supervision over global fishing and that something must be done in order to

combat the problem. His main solution, collaborated by scientists, is to strengthen

fishing regulations and monitor vessels for fishing infractions. Doing so will ultimately

slow down the commercial fishing problem until a more viable solution is put into
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practice.

Myers, R. A., & Worm, B. (2005). Extinction, survival or recovery of large predatory fishes.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 360(1453), 13-20. Retrieved September

25, 2010, from http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/360/1453/13.full.pdf+html

In this journal article, both authors identify that commercial fishing has taken an

exponential toll on the amount of commercially harvested fish. The authors make claim

that poor methods of releasing by catch as well as other procedural factors have

indirectly killed many fish that would ultimately live. Conclusively, the authors suggest

that in order to prevent extinction, areas commonly fished should be closed in some

areas in an attempt to replenish fish stocks.

Myers, R. A., & Worm, B. (2003). Rapid worldwide depletion of predatory fish communities.

Nature, 423, 280-283. Retrieved September 25, 2010, from

http://pangea.stanford.edu/research/Oceans/GES205/RapidDepletionPredatoryFish.pdf

Both authors discuss the methodology attributed to the rapid loss of fish throughout

world wide oceans. Fisherman have taken large quotas of fish, illegally, in order to

maintain high profits. However, the research in this journal article suggests that

harvesting predatory fished has altered the ecosystems and imbalanced food chains. The

authors suggest that a global change needs to occur in order to form a precedent for

future fishing operations.

Pauly, D., Chirstensen, V., Guenette, S., Pitcher, T. J., Sumaila, U. R., & Walters, C. J., et al.

(2002). Towards sustainability in world fisheries. Nature, 418, 689-695. Retrieved

September 24, 2010, from

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http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v418/n6898/full/nature01017.html

In this journal article, sustainability in the seafood industry is the main point stressed.

The authors assert that fishing is not currently at a sustainable level and a myriad of

factors have attributed to the lack of attention marine supplies have received. In order to

create some sort of sustainability, the author suggests that oceanic areas should form

zones where fishing is not allowed in order to restore endangered fish. Regulations are

also suggested in order to combat negligent fisherman seeking profits and disobeying

commercial fishing laws.

Weise, E. (2006, November 03). Study: 90% of the ocean's edible species may be gone by 2048.

USA Today. Retrieved September 25, 2010, from

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2006-11-02-overfishing-threat_x.htm

The author suggests that extremely high amounts of fish habitats have been eviscerated

due to overfishing. The newspaper article echoes the notions of low quantities of

commercially harvested fish as well as the poor enforcement of commercial fishing

laws. Fisherman and regulatory boards are to blame for the fishing pandemic, according

to the article. Finally, the author discusses negative effects of marine biodiversity loss;

giving a grim image of the outcomes if overfishing continues.

NOTE: The main focus and rationale for each research article (except for newspaper

sources) involves a concern for the future. The absence of fish poses a problem of global

importance. Due to the common view point of the problem, I have omitted author

perspectives and find preservation of fisheries to be an implicit argument.