Introduction
There has been an alarming decline in fish populations in our ocean waters. There are several organizations that have dedicated themselves to saving endangered species like whales, turtles, and dolphins. Often forgotten are the several marine species that also live in the ocean that have been lost to over-fishing. This paper will discuss this water resource problem and how a management plan will benefit this issue.
The video clip, Declining Fish Stock VLR discussed and reviews the findings of Jeremy Jackson of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. The review shows evidence that over-fishing may be the cause of the decline in fish. A decline in fish population poses a dangerous threat to the entire life in the ocean. A decline in fish means an unstable environment in the ocean.
Fish fleets today have the capacity to hold 20 million tons of fish, fisherman also have the capability to capture these fish in huge nets.
About one-fourth of the global catch - are killed and discarded yearly by fishermen using huge nets, multi-mile long lines and other indiscriminate gear. Some fleets throw away more fish than they keep. (Threats to Our Ocean Fisheries: Overfishing, Bycatch, and Marine Habitat Loss, 2008) Overfishing, an increase in human populations, and the advancement of technology, has resulted in the depletion or collapse of many fisheries.
The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) release a two yearly report that breaks down what percentages of certain species of fish are either exploited or close to being exploited.
• 52% of fish stocks are fully exploited
• 20% are moderately exploited
• 17% are overexploited
• 7% are depleted
• 1% is recovering from depletion (Overfishing: A Global Disaster, 2007)
To benefit this particular water resource problem, I proposed the following management and sustainment plan:
Action Items
Action Steps Timeline
Establish Marine Reserves Implement marine protected areas. Month...