Post by Hannah Maurer ENR 2300 (SU 2013)
After learning
about the severity of overfishing and how it continues to impact our oceans, I
wanted to research more on the topic. In the video we watched in class, the
call to action was to educate the public and make smart sustainable choices
when purchasing seafood. I believe it is extremely important for people to know
where and how their food was harvested.
In order to support sustainable fishing, we must be knowledgeable about
the products we consume and begin asking companies about their specific
processes. If a product was fished sustainably, then it should be purchased
instead of the one that was not fished sustainably. However, most people do not
have any idea that overfishing is such a massive issue. So, as educated
students, it is our duty to educate society on the detrimental impacts of
overfishing. Personally, I am blown away and disgusted by the fishing
operations occurring in our waters. Companies do not realize how quickly and
impractically they are harvesting. The long-term negative environmental effects
are far from their minds, replaced with desires for larger profits. If
companies continue to overharvest in one area, then move to another and
overharvest there, then move to another and repeat that course of action, there
will soon be no fish for them to capture. This, to me, is an obvious
consequence, but the commercial demand is so high that fishermen will not stop
for anything. I believe we need to take action, and people deserve to know how
their seafood is being harvested. The article I have provided gives an overview
on the entire situation, including fishing methods, a brief history, most
favorable fish, regulations, and a call to action. Hopefully, it will help you
all to make your own decisions about the issue of overfishing and realize the
truth of the situation.
Link to complete article HERE.
I completely agree that overfishing is an issue that needs to be addressed as people do not know the severity of the issue. As you have said the demand for seafood is so high that it is hard to actually do something about it. The only thing I would've liked to see you address is maybe a solution for this problem ?
ReplyDeleteRayan Harfouche
Over-fishing is a recurring problem in most coastal areas of the world for the primary reason, i.e, commercial profits. It is a simple economic problem of demand and supply - until the demand does not fall, the supply is definitely not going to reduce. Therefore, the only section of society who can help achieve this goal is Consumers.
ReplyDelete