Video - Overfishing: Current Levels of Fishing are Unsustainable and Jeopardize the Future of this Important Food Source

Around 90 million tons of fish are removed from the world's oceans every year. But the seemingly inexhaustible food source is proving finite. More and more fish species are disappearing. And it's no wonder, because up to ninety percent of each catch is thrown over board again as worthless by-catch. This documentary accompanies scientists, fishermen and fish processing factories. It reveals the sometimes threatening and sometimes unexpected links in overfishing and addresses real solutions to rescue the oceans.

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GEO 5 Report on Water, Marine Pollution and Fish Stocks

The fifth edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-5) was published on June 6, 2012. This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report indicates there are major issues related to water, marine pollution and fish stocks

Water

Of the 30 environmental goals examined in relation to water, only one goal – that of increasing access to clean drinking water – shows significant progress. But less progress has been made in rural areas, especially in Africa and the Pacific. Despite some improvements, water quality remains the largest cause of human health problems worldwide. At the same time, climate change and further population growth are likely to result in even greater water shortages in many regions.

Water quality in at least parts of most major river systems still fails to meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards. More than 600 million people are expected to lack access to safe drinking water by 2015, while more than 2.5 billion people will lack access to basic sanitation. As water scarcity increases, some regions will be forced to rely more on energy- intensive desalination technologies. By 2030, an estimated US $9-11 billion will be spent annually on additional infrastructure to provide sufficient quantities of water, especially in developing countries.

Curbing water pollution could result in health benefits of more than US $100 million in large OECD economies alone. Nitrate concentrations are projected to increase due to water pollution from fertilizers and inadequate sanitation, resulting in serious threats to human health and aquatic life.

Although freshwater pollution seems to be on the increase, proper monitoring has declined in many regions.
Further deterioration of groundwater supplies has been recorded since 2000, while global water withdrawals have tripled over the past 50 years. Agriculture accounts for 92 per cent of the global water footprint and many global agricultural centres are particularly dependent on groundwater, including northwest India, northeast Pakistan, northeast China and western United States.

Integrated water management and monitoring tools need to be developed and strengthened if the world is to better manage current and future water challenges. At present, about 158 of the 263 international freshwater basins still lack cooperative management frameworks. Other obstacles to better water management include: Insufficient data, the absence of comprehensive monitoring systems and water security indicators to track trends over time.

Marine Pollution

Little or no progress has been achieved in preventing, reducing or controlling pollution of the marine environment. The number of coastal dead zones has increased dramatically in recent years. Out of the 169 coastal dead zones worldwide, only 13 are recovering and 415 coastal areas suffer from eutrophication. Around 80 per cent of marine pollution is caused by land-based activities. Of 12 seas surveyed between 2005 and 2007, the South-East Pacific, North Pacific, East Asian Sea and Caribbean contained the most marine litter. Ratification of the MARPOL convention by 150 countries is resulting in reduced pollution from ships despite gaps in implementation. Governance of marine areas beyond boundaries is weak and fragmented.

Marine protected areas have proven in many cases to be effective conservation tools, with recent surveys showing higher fish populations inside reserves than in surrounding areas and in the same areas before reserves were established.

Fish Stocks

The last two decades witnessed unprecedented deterioration in fish stocks. Though catches more than quadrupled from the early 1950s to the mid-1990s, they have stabilized or diminished since then - despite increased fishing. In 2000, catches could have been 7-36 per cent higher were it not for stock depletion. This translated into economic losses to the value of US $4-36 billion. Commercial fisheries and overfishing are the main threat to stocks. Fish products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council constituted only 7 per cent of global fisheries in 2007.

To access the full report click here.

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Overfishing and Sustainable Seafood

June 8th is World Oceans Day, the UN-designated day for the global community to celebrate and take action for our shared ocean. Whether you’re on a coastal city or far  inland, the water around you ends up in the ocean downstream. The ocean is the great connector—no matter what country you’re from, we’re all citizens of the ocean. The world is eating more seafood than ever, and we’re pushing the ocean and its fish to the limit. According to the United Nations, approximately two-thirds of ocean species are overfished, and some types of commercial fishing catch up to seven times more unwanted fish than targeted species.

Savor the seafood

Limit fish consumption to a few special meals a month and choose species that are abundant and fished or farmed with minimal harm to the surrounding environment. We can eat well and do good at the same time.

Make ocean-friendly choices

Remember to eat locally caught species when possible. For those in the US, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Guide or download the Seafood Watch app to find some sustainable seafood recommendations. You can also check out the international WWF’s seafood guides for global recommendations.

Choose your fish wisely

Eating fish is generally healthy but many fish species are contaminated with mercury and other pollutants. Children and pregnant women, in particular, should be extra careful when choosing seafood. Check KidSafeSeafood and be safe!

Buy from ethical companies; ask your local grocers and chefs to do the same

Vote with your wallet by supporting companies that show a real commitment to protecting the environment. Fish2Fork has a guide to ethical restaurants in several countries, and visit FishChoice.com to link up sustainable buyers and sellers.

Make your voice heard!

Tell your political representatives that over fishing is an issue you can about, want them to act on, and you will vote on. Sign petitions, weigh in with opportunities for public comment, and email or write your representatives. You can also check out some organized movements addressing over fishing such as WWF’s More Fish campaign and Hugh’s Fish Fight!  Take action online and in your community to raise awareness!

Cut down on your meat consumption

As much a third of the annual global catch is ‘forage fish’ which become fish meal—much of which is then used to raise cows, chickens and pigs in factory farms, as well as some aquacultured species, like farmed salmon. By cutting down on your meat consumption, you will reduce demand for these forage fish which are a vital component of the complex oceanic food web.

Screen a fish film

Film is a great way to spread the word about the over fishing problem. Consider showing a documentary
such as The End of the Line at home, in your school, community center, or place of worship.

In honor of World Oceans Day, take action this June 8^th and pledge to consume only sustainable seafood throughout the year.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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