Climate change, pollution and overfishing are causing serious threats
to life in the ocean. While on the surface it may seem that the condition of
marine life is normal, the underlying fact is that there has been
overexploitation of underwater life, leaving the sea and the ocean almost
without fish. This is asserted in the latest report by the FAO, which highlights the
importance of sustainable fishing and how it helps in the survival of marine
life. Also, as per the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report in 2018, fishing is
the main threat to marine life. According to this report, almost 6 billion tons
of fish and other invertebrates have been fished since 1950, leaving the sea
almost bereft of life.
Thus, it is the need of the hour that all necessary steps are
taken to overcome the problem of overfishing and maintain the balance of marine
biodiversity. Sustainable fishing is primarily important in this regard. It is
a vital solution to save the
environment by way of stopping the ravishing of the seas and
oceans.
The Importance of Sustainable Fishing
We all need to ensure that we are playing our part in
guaranteeing environmental
protection for a better and healthier future. Sustainable fishing is an
essential step in ensuring marine life conservation. Listed below are six
reasons stating the importance of sustainable fishing:
- Sustainable
fishing thrives on the principle of respecting the marine ecosystem. It
adapts to the reproduction rate of fishes and protects ocean biodiversity
by maintaining the perfect balance among all underwater species. So, by
practising sustainable fishing, we can get healthier oceans.
- In
the past, indiscriminate overfishing activities on our part have created a
massive ecosystem imbalance that is crying out for immediate remedial
action to stop further damage. It is important to note that overfishing
not only endangers a particular species but it has a penetrating impact on
the other animals in the ecosystem, and ultimately on the seafood we
consume. It can cause a lack of important species of fish and give rise to
greater health-related issues. Sustainable fishing can meaningfully
contribute to global seafood security.
- Sustainable
fishing will help to develop a well-calculated fish stock. This is
primarily beneficial for economies that are based on fishing practices. It
generates and promotes healthier fishing employment and also leads to the
development of small fishing-based communities.
- Sustainable
fishing uses healthy capture methods and avoids fishing of endangered or
low-value species. It also minimises food wastage by making fishmeal from
bycatch.
- Oceans
are the natural sources of almost half of the oxygen on earth. A disturbed
marine system, where every aquatic organism faces a threat, can give rise
to severe problems in the future. Oceans' reducing capacity of absorbing
carbon and producing oxygen will have a detrimental effect on life on
earth. Thus sustainable fishing is not only necessary for better fishing
practices, but it will also promote a healthier living environment.
- It
is also instrumental in reducing pollution by generating less waste and
reducing the use of chemicals that damage the ozone layer.
To Wrap Up
By implementing some meaningful measures, ocean conservation can
be achieved by giving a new dimension to sustainable fishing. It aims at
maintaining and respecting marine habitats to ensure that the ocean population
continues to thrive in the future.
Sustainable fishing needs to be adopted by following a planned
shift from traditional fishing methods. Fisherfolk who decide to follow these
fishing practices also need the assurance of a reliable market for their catch
as their livelihood depends on it. Thus a holistic approach is needed when
sustainable fishing comes into the picture.
