Ways to Protect the Environment

Overview | Major Challenges

Bycatch | Overfishing | Habitat Damage/Loss | Aquaculture

Habitat Damage/Loss is a challenge for sustainable fishing.

Some fish and shellfish have specific habitat requirements for different stages of their lives. Protecting habitats that are used specifically for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity is necessary to prevent the loss of any species. For example, if the habitats where fish and shellfish lay their eggs are destroyed, their population will decrease dramatically and possibly lead to extinction.

Trawling

Trawling is extremely damaging to the seafloor surface because trawling nets scrape along the seafloor scooping and ripping up rocks, fish, sea turtles, corals, marine plants, etc. The damage done to the seafloor from trawling can take years to repair. For example, a six-foot coral can take hundreds (300 to 700) of years to rebuild. Laws have been passed to prevent trawling in certain areas. These no-trawl zones will protect 3,825,000 acres of seafloor that range from rocky shores to coral reefs.

Ghost gear or ghost fishing

Ghost gear or ghost fishing refers to all fish nettings, lobster and crab traps, knotted ropes, or fishing lines lost or abandoned in the ocean. Besides the devastating effect that these can have on the animals that become entangled in them, they are also extremely destructive to marine habitats. Lobster and crab traps that are left on the seafloor can be tossed and pushed around by ocean currents and waves. In turn, they physically destroy rocks and corals or can block an entrance to a cave or other hiding place. Breaking up rocks and corals, or blocking places for organisms to hide, limits the habitats for many species of fish and shellfish.

Netting and other fishing gear that gets caught and wrapped around coral reefs are particularly destructive. The corals are unable to move and feed, and, as a result, will eventually die. As more corals are destroyed, so are the homes of many different species that consider the coral reefs as their home.

Research Links Related to Sustainable Fishing:

• Caribbean Conservation Corporation -- Loggerhead Turtles
  Fact Sheet plus global map of nesting sites
   
• Monterey Bay Aquarium - Seafood WATCH
  This site allows you to print a 'wallet card' which you can carry with you and share with your friends and family.
   
• National Geographic -- Loggerhead Turtles
  Sea turtle profile, photos and video on the lifestyle of the Loggerhead Turtle.
   
• NOAA Fisheries - Office of Protected Resources - Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
  Information on Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- California Sea Lion
  Covers distribution and numbers, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Harbor Seal
  Covers distribution, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Harp Seal
  Covers distribution, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Hawaiian Monk Seal
  Covers distribution, status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• Pinnipeds.org -- Walrus
  Covers distribution, Status and lifestyle. Great photos.
   
• WWF Loggerhead Turtles
  Physical description, ecology & habitat, Population & distribution, threats (bycatch) and importance to marine ecosystems.