Over Fishing and Other Threats to the Declining Fish Population

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Introduction

It has once been said that there is an unlimited supply of fish in the sea, and because the ocean is so big, it will be virtually impossible for it to be over fished. Currently the world’s population is around six billion people, and the demand for fish has never been higher. According to the video, “90% of big fish have been pulled from the ocean, leaving fisherman to compete over the remaining 10%.” Over fishing has lead to a severe decline in certain types of fish populations, mainly the larger, more expensive fish. It is expected; over time that these fish populations will become extinct if we do not do something to protect them.

Over fishing is not the only thing leading to the declining fish population. Point source pollution, non point source pollution, habitat destruction, coastal development, and bycatch, are all major threats to the oceans and its resources.

Management and Sustainment Plan

In order to manage and sustain certain types of fish populations, I think it is necessary to develop some type of fish farming. Scientists and environmentalists can go out and safely catch as many large females as possible in the allotted time allowed. It is quite possible, unless given special permission; they may only be permitted to catch the fish during that in particular fishing season.

(1) Once caught, the fish may be kept in indoor/outdoor containment tanks or big, outside floating pens. Individual tanks will separate the different size fish. (2) Now that the females are contained, introduce males of the same species to the females, so that they will mate. (3) Once it is determined that a female is pregnant, separate that fish from the group in an individual storage tank, so that when...

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...ion occurs when the fisherman’s nets and other fishing gear damage the ocean floor, or other marine wildlife’s habitat. Point source pollution occurs when fishing ships, as well as cruise ships; dump their wastewater into the ocean. This not only decreases the quality of the water, but also affects the ecosystem, as well as the marine wildlife.

Community

Fishing farms will bring new jobs to a community. Local college students that are going to school can get a job at one of the facilities and learn while going to school. Fisherman can also get a job at one of these farms if the season wasn’t as prosperous as they had hoped. They communities lifestyle wouldn’t change much in regards to the fact that they had a fish farm in their area. Most fish farms are located 3-5 miles from shore, so only the boaters of the community would even notice the farms.

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