Overfishing In Antarctica
What Is Overfishing?
Overfishing is the catching of fish faster that nature can catch up with the amount that was taken. Due to the new technology and and improvements in fishing boats, fish gear (Like nets) and unslected fishing methods are causing fish levels to go down . They catch fish by using trawlers and large nets.
Overfishing is the catching of fish faster that nature can catch up with the amount that was taken. Due to the new technology and and improvements in fishing boats, fish gear (Like nets) and unslected fishing methods are causing fish levels to go down . They catch fish by using trawlers and large nets.
In the Antarctic, fishing for krill is threatening to disrupt the delicate balance of nature in these waters. Krill are small, red shrimps, about 6cm long. They are found in large numbers, and it has estimated that there could be up to 650 million tonnes of them in the Antarctic Ocean. Since the early 1980s, six countries, including Japan and the former USSR have been harvesting krill, which is the main food for the great whales, and it is part of the diets of seals, penguins, squid and fish. We have don't know what effects this will have on the populations of animals which feed on krill, it may cause them to miagrate to other waters. The natural balance in the Antarctic waters has already been upset by the hunting of the great whales, and heavy fishing of krill might make the situation worse.
Effects of overfishing on the environment in Antarctia.
Overfishing causes multiple effects of the environment of Antarctia. Some of these include,
Overfishing causes multiple effects of the environment of Antarctia. Some of these include,
- Changes to the delicate environment: When an area is overfished it destorys the food source of many animals that feed in the area. The animals need the food for their survial so they will have to find another food source, which may be the main food source to other animals so this will cause more sea animals to starve.
- Destorys marine life: for fishing, they use large nets, so when they are draging the nets they are catching the fish that they need to catch, but accidently catch other unwanted marine animals called bycatch. The marine life get injured or killed due getting caught in the nets.
- It also ruins livelihoods: Overfishing causes depletion of fish stocks in oceans. Many people reply of fishing for their income, and when an area is overfished, it leaves no fish for them to catch.
How can we help?
We can make sure we know were what we are eating is coming from, and making sure that it comes from a sustainable source. So look out for sustainable fish/seafood products and look out for symbols like this >
We can make sure we know were what we are eating is coming from, and making sure that it comes from a sustainable source. So look out for sustainable fish/seafood products and look out for symbols like this >
What reccommendations would I make to the Australian Government?
All boats need to have a liecence, and need to have the right equipment (Like nets with larger holes so baby fish can swim out). We should also make there be a limit so that fish stocks can stay at a sustainable level. We can do this by making the level that fish companies would be happy with, and at a level that will keep fish stocks at a good level. We should also set up specific areas that are meant for fishing, and areas that are out of bounds and that are illeagle to fish in.
All boats need to have a liecence, and need to have the right equipment (Like nets with larger holes so baby fish can swim out). We should also make there be a limit so that fish stocks can stay at a sustainable level. We can do this by making the level that fish companies would be happy with, and at a level that will keep fish stocks at a good level. We should also set up specific areas that are meant for fishing, and areas that are out of bounds and that are illeagle to fish in.