The effects of overfishing

Causes of Overfishing Introduction When high numbers of fish are fished at a rate higher than their reproduction, then overfishing has been executed. This is mainly applicable in seas, lakes and other natural water bodies, due to their richness in different species of aquatic species of animals. Despite, overfishing having economic benefits to the fishermen as well as the country at large, numerous negative impacts are also present. This essay seeks to look into the causes and effects of overfishing.
Causes of overfishing
The economic activity of any country is very essential in ensuring that economic development is realized. The earth has various different natural resources, which are utilized by persons living in different geographical region. The number of people consuming fish is high as consumers are spread all over the world. As a means of getting resources for carrying on with their daily lives, many people residing around various water bodies indulge in fishing. In a bid to increase their income, fishermen usually strive to fish more; more fish implies more returns on investment. This practice is also practiced by commercial industries in a bid to maximize the profits realized. This leads to overfishing, which have adverse effects on the marine life, as some species of fish may become extinct (Ebbbin, Hoel & Sydes, 2005).
The world’s population has been on the increase, which has necessitated the increase of the amount of food, and other resources required in order to support human life. Due to the increase in population, which translates to higher demand, there has been the need to increase the supply of fish. Therefore, the increased fish demand is satisfied through natural fishing or fish farming (Hilborn, 2012). In the case of fish farming, overfishing is not common with the farmers using certified nets while fishing; thus, ensuring that the fingerings are left in the ponds or dams. On the other hand, overfishing is rampant in wildlife fishing, where personal displine in adhering to the guidelines set to avoid overfishing is low. Wildlife overfishing has led to decline in the number of fish in the wildlife; thus having a negative effect on the diversity and richness of our environment.
Overfishing has economic consequences to various stakeholders in the fishing and aquaculture industry. When overfishing is carried out, authorities in charge usually impose ban to fishing for certain periods to ensure that the fish breeds to the normal population. These bans make fishermen jobless; thus, affecting their living standards and of those who depend on them. This may accelerate the poverty levels, which is not good for economic development of regions dependent on fishing.
Nature has a unique way of controlling the number of animals from different species, which ensures that it is very diverse; for example, various fish species are predators of others. As such, overfishing would decrease the number of specific fish species, leaving other at high numbers. This imbalances the aquatic life and may lead to the extinction of certain fish species, which adversely affects the aquatic life (Castello, 2012). In a bid to ensure that our natural environment is rich, authorities should impose ban to certain regions so that there is a balance in the marine life. This could help a great deal in restoring aquatic balance in areas where it has been interrupted.
Conclusion
Overfishing is very rampant in various regions of the world. Overfishing has economic benefits such as increased revenue to the industry, and also negative impacts on our environment. As such, it is necessary to control the negative effects and maintain a natural balance in aquatic life.
References
Castello L. (2012). A Socio-ecological Synthesis on the Conservation of the Pirarucu (Arapaima) in Floodplains of the Amazon. Michigan: ProQuest.
Ebbbin S. A., Hoel A. H. & Sydes A. K. (2005). A Sea Change: The Exclusive Economic Zone and Governance Institutions for Living Marine Resources. New York: Springer.
Hilborn, R. (2012). Overfishing: What Everyone Needs to Know. Oxford: Oxford University Press