One-third of the global population relies on seafood for their protein, and it is a vital source of food and nutrition. But it’s not just that—communities across the world rely on fishing for their livelihood, and over 38 million people are employed in wild capture fisheries. While it may not seem so at first glance, these facts underscore the importance of sustainable fishing.
Given the popularity and scale of fishing, many unsustainable practices put our oceans and the creatures living in them at risk. Some objectionable methods include overfishing, excessive bycatch, and unregulated fishing practices. A report details that over a third of global fisheries have already been fished beyond sustainable limits, while the demand for seafood continues to escalate. With sustainable fishing practices, we hope to reverse this decline and ensure there are enough fish left in the sea for future fishing.
Sustainable seafood comes from aquaculture operations and fisheries that focus on minimizing their harmful environmental impacts. Some of the practices implemented involve fishing and farming in ways that promote the well-being of the environment and marine life. Given the intense focus on environmental sustainability, it is essential that fishing is conducted in a way that does not harm the environment or other wildlife. Doing so means avoiding overfishing and ensuring that fishing gear has minimal impact on the habitat and other wildlife.
With a stronger focus on marine life, aquaculture holds strong promise. When good practices are employed, it is possible to farm seafood with minimal environmental impact or habitat damage. Furthermore, sustainable seafood also includes fair and safe working conditions for the people involved in its production. From producers to suppliers, everyone has an obligation to adhere to international labor laws to prevent human rights abuses.
How Is It Possible For Fishing To Be Sustainable?
Scientists can determine how many fish can be caught safely without compromising the future health of the stock. They do this by gathering data on the size and scale of the stock, where and when the species spawn, and how many young ones are likely to survive into adulthood. Environmental factors are also considered, including predation by other species.
Several management measures can be practised to prevent overfishing. This involved banning fishing during the spawning season and imposing a size limit to protect young fish. A critical component of sustainable fisheries is adopting precautionary measures, such as harvest control rules, which require catches to be reduced when the population of a stock declines. These conditions are fundamental when many countries share stocks, so a collective effort is necessary to stop overfishing.
How Sustainable Fishing Can Protect The Ocean And The Planet
A healthy ecosystem helps the ocean to regulate the climate. When carbon dioxide from the air dissolves into seawater, it is trapped within various components of the ocean ecosystem, such as plant-like plankton, mollusk shells, and seagrass. As we know, climate change is already having a profound impact on our environment and oceans, making sustainable fishing all the more critical. If proper practices are not implemented, the marine ecosystem can be threatened by habitat destruction, unregulated fishing, and lost fishing gear.
Sustainable fisheries employ measures to reduce bycatch. They do this by avoiding fishing in areas where endangered or unwanted species live or are known to migrate to. Another sustainable fishing measure is setting lines and nets deeper in the ocean and fishing at night rather than during the day to reduce seabird entanglements. They also modify gear to allow non-target species to escape, using exclusionary devices such as acoustic ‘pingers’ to repel marine mammals and bird-scaring lines.
It is also paramount that measures are taken to prevent fishing gear from being discarded or lost at sea. These goals can be accomplished by monitoring and retrieving lost gear and using biodegradable locks on gear to allow species to escape.
How Sustainable Fishing Can Benefit Our Environment and Well-being
- Each species in the ocean plays a pivotal role in maintaining the ecosystem, and overfishing can deplete fish populations and destroy habitats. When you opt for sustainable seafood, you support fishing methods that preserve habitats, support fish regeneration, and minimize environmental impact.
- Promotes biodiversity by encouraging the consumption of a wider variety of fish, thereby reducing pressure on overfished populations. Furthermore, this helps maintain the balance of marine ecosystems.
- Most coastal communities rely on fishing for their livelihood. Sustainable fishing supports these communities by ensuring healthy working conditions and fair wages.
- Sustainable seafood is of higher quality and fresher than farmed alternatives. So when you choose sustainable seafood, you enjoy the health benefits of fish without the harmful pollutants that are generally found in overfished areas.
- Sustainable seafood facilitates better transparency in the seafood industry. Labeling initiatives and certification programs provide consumers with information about the origin and fishing practices, allowing them to make better food choices aligned with their values.
Final Thoughts
Sustainable fishing is so important because it supports a healthy, diverse ocean ecosystem. All species play their own role within the marine ecosystem, and they are all part of a food web of prey and predators. When a single species is lost due to excessive bycatch or overfishing, it can have a ripple effect across the entire food web and ultimately, the earth.
It is encouraging to see the conversation around sustainable seafood gaining momentum. As more and more people become aware of how their choices play a key role in preserving our environment, sustainable seafood is no longer just a passing trend. There has now become a decisive shift towards responsible dining and spending.
At the end of the day, every single purchase you make is a silent vote for the kind of world you want to live in. When you make the conscious effort to choose sustainable seafood, you send a clear message to the industry, underscoring demand for eco-friendly fishing practices. This small move can drive large-scale change and encourage companies and fisheries to adopt sustainable fishing practices.
