Destructive Fishing

chapter 02

Destructive

Fishing

Overfishing havoc on marine life, depleting populations and disrupting the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems, posing a grave threat to the sustainability of fisheries and the health of our oceans.

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The Future of
Our Seafood

Overfishing poses a grave threat to the health of our oceans and the sustainability of seafood resources. The excessive extraction of fish beyond their reproductive capacity disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, depleting fish populations and compromising the overall health of the ocean. As a result, the future of our seafood and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing are put at risk.

Addressing overfishing requires collaborative efforts, sustainable fishing practices, and effective fisheries management to restore balance, protect marine biodiversity, and ensure the availability of seafood for generations to come.

Overfishing is
primarily driven by
the increased
demand for
seafood from a
growing global
population.

The combination of overfishing and plastic pollution is a major threat to the health of our oceans. It is essential that we take action to address both of these problems if we want to protect our marine ecosystems for future generations.

As more people consume seafood, our oceans are under increasing pressure to sustain this demand. This has led to the overexploitation of many fish stocks, with some species being pushed to the brink of extinction.

Meanwhile, plastic pollution, which has been accumulating since the 1950s, continues to grow. An astonishing amount of plastic ends up in the oceans every year, where it can entangle and kill marine animals, or break down into micro-plastics that can be ingested by fish and other sea creatures.

These two threats to the marine environment are closely linked. Overfishing can lead to the collapse of fish populations, which can then contribute to the accumulation of plastic pollution. For example, when fish populations decline, fishermen may be forced to use more nets and other gear, which can then be lost or discarded in the ocean.

“The ocean is like a checking

account where everybody withdraws

but nobody makes a deposit. This is

what's happening because of

overfishing.”

“The ocean is like a checking

account where everybody withdraws

but nobody makes a deposit. This is

what's happening because of

overfishing.”

Enric Sala

Explorer in Residence National Geographic Society

restoreenforcemonitor

taking

Addressing overfishing and plastic pollution requires significant changes to our consumption and production patterns.

action

1
destructive fishing
When we choose to eat seafood that is caught or farmed in a sustainable way, we are helping to ensure that fish populations are managed responsibly and that the marine environment is protected.
2
destructive fishing
Supporting small-scale and artisanal fishing communities, which typically have a lower environmental impact compared to large industrial operations, can also be beneficial.
3
destructive fishing
Equip fishers with the knowledge and incentives needed to adopt sustainable fishing practices.
4
destructive fishing
Support organizations that are working to address overfishing and plastic pollution. There are many organizations working to protect our oceans. You can volunteer your time to these organizations to help them with their work.
5
destructive fishing
Educate others about the problem of overfishing and plastic pollution. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about the importance of protecting our oceans. Encourage them to make changes in their own lives to help address the problem.

investing

marine life

making
waves for
change

Individual consumer choices can make a difference in addressing overfishing, but systemic changes are also needed. By making conscious choices about the seafood we eat, we can put pressure on the seafood industry to adopt more sustainable practices. However, we also need to ensure that the price of seafood accurately reflects the strain on global fish stocks.

This will help to discourage overfishing and encourage the development of more sustainable fishing practices. In addition to individual consumer choices, we also need systemic changes to address overfishing. This includes ensuring that fishers have the knowledge and incentives they need to adopt sustainable fishing practices.

Meet some of the
awesome people

Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability

FIS is a coalition of experts driving strategic innovation for a prosperous and sustainable UK seafood industry. Their focus is on supporting projects that will have a positive impact on the industry and the people involved.

https://fisorg.uk/
Ghana’s Sustainable Oceans Project

A NORAD-funded project in Ghana, implemented by Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Hen Mpoano, Friends of the Nation, and CEWEFIA, aims to establish a resilient and sustainable ocean economy. The project focuses on inclusive capacity building, coastal ecosystem management, and addressing fishery declines. Objectives include promoting responsible fishery resource utilization, government reforms to tackle over-capacity and illegal fishing, transparent governance, enforcement against illegal fishing, and community-led initiatives to protect mangrove habitats.

https://henmpoano.org/sustainable-oceans-project/
seashepherd

Sea Shepherd’s campaigns focus on various marine conservation issues, such as defending endangered species, such as the Vaquita Porpoise, combating illegal whaling, preventing illegal fishing practices and protecting marine habitats. They collaborate with law enforcement agencies, offering equipment and crews to deter illegal fishing.

https://seashepherd.org/
#DemiLaut

Fishing is a main source of food and livelihood for many in Southeast Asian fishing communities. #DemiLaut, founded by Haaziq Ibrahim, is a social enterprise addressing climate change and overfishing in Southeast Asia. Their first project, Idin, empowers traditional fishermen through upskilling and modernizing their value-chain. To overcome market challenges, #DemiLaut engineered the Pemukat Noh net-hauling device and is developing an AI-powered app for fishermen to verify and sell catches online. With support from crowdfunding and initiatives like Youth Co:Lab, they equipped fishermen with necessary tools and introduced a cold chain solution to maintain catch freshness. Their goal is to empower 30% of Malaysia's traditional fishermen within three years, cultivating sustainable fishing practices and benefiting coastal communities. Through #DemiLaut's work, they believe in empowering people of the sea and creating positive impacts for all.

https://demilaut.com/
Blue Marine Foundation

Blue marine Foundation is a marine conservation organisation committed to conservation, sustainable fishing and the establishment of marine protected areas, with the goal of safeguarding marine biodiversity and promoting the long-term health of our oceans. They have been involved in a number of notable projects, such as securing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), specifying areas of the ocean where fishing and other destructive activities are restricted or regulated. Their mission is to see at least 30% of the world’s ocean under protection by 2030.

https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/

Chapter 03
Marine
Habitats

Explore chapter

Destructive

Fishing

The Future ofOur Seafood

Overfishing isprimarily driven bythe increaseddemand forseafood from agrowing globalpopulation.

Chapter 03

MarineHabitats

The Future of
Our Seafood

Overfishing is
primarily driven by
the increased
demand for
seafood from a
growing global
population.

Marine
Habitats