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COMMERCIAL FISHING ISSUES1Commercial Fishing Issues:Maintaining a Sustainable Seafood Industry in the Atlantic OceanRobert SlipkovichThe University of South Florida

COMMERCIAL FISHING ISSUES2

Executive Summary

Commercial fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry that provides seafood to companies andconsumers. Specifically in the Atlantic Ocean, scientists are seeing rapid declines in the populationsof commercially harvested fish. Policies have been the focal point of government intervention in anattempt to create a sustainable seafood market for the future. However, enforcement of theseregulatory policies is a challenge due to the size of oceanic waters.Scientists have estimated that if overfishing continues near the current level, commerciallyharvested fish will be nearly eradicated by 2048 (Murray, 2009). Technological advancements onfishing boats have exponentially sped up the ability for fishermen to literally sweep ocean floors.Along with the rapid decline of fish stocks, come solutions for the renewal of fish habitats. Policiesinvolving government regulation, fishing quotas, and net sizes have all been viable solutions whenattempting to solve the overfishing epidemic.The history of overfishing in the United States comes with the aspirations of profit from boatcaptains. Since the 1970's, Atlantic waters have become the target of overfishing regulations and policies. The New England coast once was an area riddled by cod, however, in recent times, much of the cod has been caught and never had a chance to replenish (Murray, 2009). The expansive coastalregions of the United State have even warranted international policies which limit other countriesfrom fishing in American waters. Although laws and federal regulations are usually followed byfishermen, poor enforcement has become a problem in the quest to keep fish stocks healthy. In aneffort to become combative, stricter regulations are necessary in an effort to eradicate overfishingfrom American waters. Rebuilding populations of commercial fish can only be facilitated throughstrict policy and regulation.

COMMERCIAL FISHING ISSUES3

Introduction

Commercial fishing in the United States has been a problem that has plagued our world for quite some time. Methods of catching fish have typically involved the use of basic fishing equipment(rod, hook, bait etc.). However, technological advances have given fisherman the tools necessary toyield high profits in the smallest amount of time. One may question the technological advanceswhich often lead to the exponential harvest of commercial fish. Trawling, which is a method where anet is literally dragged across the ocean floor, has become an area of concern for sustainablefisheries (Murray, 2009). The literal sweep of the ocean floor and its sea-dwelling inhabitants has been scrutinized as a focal point in understanding modern day overfishing. Policies have beenintroduced which allow for certain size nets, monthly closure of commonly caught fish, and even theclosure of some oceanic waters (Murray, 2009). In any case, science has pointed to empiricalevidence to support the notion that commercial fishing has been a detriment to fish stocks. The policies previously mentioned are just a few of the federal government’s solutions to the overfishing pandemic. In the United States, a region where fish has been a mainstay of a healthy diet,commercial fishing has become a lucrative profession for many people who make their salary on thewater. Policy enforcement and reform, regarding overfishing, is necessary to maintain fisheries for not only food but survival as well.

Background

The history of overfishing in the Atlantic Ocean has come about as no surprise. Fish have become a profitable profession for many captains and mates. Throughout the history of the UnitedStates, coastal waters have been home to plentiful bounties of fish. The New England coast once hadcod populations that literally infested the waters (Brander, 2006). Once fisherman exposed and

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Overfishing: Reforms and Policies

This is an essay I wrote for my junior year of college. I received a "C", however, I believe that my paper fully explains the policies of overfishing and how current g... (More)

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Category:	School Work
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Upload Date:	08/09/2011
Copyright:	Attribution Non-commercial
Tags:	Government research nets policy Reform fish fishing atlantic empirical grouper (more tags) Government research nets policy Reform fish fishing atlantic empirical grouper overfish (fewer)