Overfishing: Is there a solution?

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Over the course of me posting about overfishing, I’m sure the thought "Are there any solutions to this problem?" have popped into your minds. It sure has appeared in my mind many times as I did my research to bring you the facts and my researchers do claim that there are actually solutions to overfishing. 

Poster from the World Wildlife Fund's Tuna Campaign

It is clear that the effects and consequences of overfishing are vast and there is a possibility that many of these effects won’t actually be known unless situations become worse. The University of Washington claims that at least two-thirds of the world's fisheries are in bad biological shape, and it is only going to get worse if we continue on out current path. But according to Costello (2016) we can fix this mess - and fast if we implement and enact the right kinds of management policies.

Logos of the most prominent conservation groups

Throughout the world, there are many conservation groups that are brainstorming ways to make the fishing industry sustainable. These conservation groups include the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Greenpeace and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Each of these groups have not only been brainstorming to find solutions to overfishing, but also, they have been spreading awareness on the issue. Some of the solutions to overfishing that have been identified include:
  1. Working with governments: Since there is a lacking in regulations and governing policies and the fact that fishing has been an industry tied to civilization, many groups are helping countries especially developing countries learn to prepare adequate and effective management protocols.
  2. Helping developing countries: Fishing is a crucial industry in many poor and developing nations and as such conservation efforts are focusing on helping these areas set-up procedures to ensure sustainability in the long run.
  3. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): The MSC is an effort to create a standard that can be implemented to help commercial fisheries maintain production sustainably.
  4. Reducing subsidies: Many governments subsidize the fishing industry with subsidies, in an effort to keep the industry thriving, it is suggested that the reduction of these subsidies can help regulate fishing.
  5. More protected marine areas: In setting up more protected areas in the ocean, the effects of overfishing on some of the world’s most incredible reefs and marine structures will be reduced.
  6. Responsible Farming: When done correctly, farming fish can lead to a sustainable way of providing food and resources to the global population. So far this practice has seen success with species of fish that are prone to overfishing, such as arctic char and bass.
It's fair to say that individuals cannot solve the global problem of overfishing by themselves. Rather, the governments of countries would need to step in to introduce and implement international laws to assist in the overcoming of the issue.


REFERENCES
Costello, C. et al. Global fishery prospects under contrasting management regimes (2016). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1520420113

Design Scene (2011). WWF Bluefin Tuna Overfishing: Panda [Online Image]. 

Greeenpeace. (n.d.) Sustainable Fishing.
Available: http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/issues/overfishing/solutions/sustianablefishing

The University of Washington, Conservation: The Source for Environmental Intelligence (2016). This is What the End of Overfishing Would Look Like. Available: https://www.conservationmagazine.org/2016/04/end-of-overfishing/

WWF. (n.d.) Our Solutions: Marine Protected Areas.
Available: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/conservation/marine/protected_areas/


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