Ways to Protect the Environment

Overview | Major Challenges

Bycatch | Overfishing | Habitat Damage/Loss | Aquaculture

Overfishing is a challenge for sustainable fishing.

The overfishing problem:

Sometimes, fishers take so many of a fish or shellfish species that the species cannot breed fast enough to maintain its population. This problem is called overfishing.

The overfishing solutions:

While it might seem simple to fix the problem of overfishing by not catching too many fish, it is difficult to control because there are many independent fishers trying to make their living off of fresh-caught fish. In addition, the demand for fish is high.

The best way to maintain the population of fish and shellfish is to allow time for these creatures to reproduce in order to replace those that have been caught. To ensure that reproduction can occur safely, regulations which specify fishing quotas, seasons, and size limits have been put into place.

Quotas:
Until laws were put into place, fishers were allowed to catch as much as their boats could carry. Realizing that overfishing was causing damage to populations of fish and shellfish, quotas or daily limits for fish-per-species caught were determined. Quotas usually regulate the number of pounds of fish for commercial fishing. For private fishing, the actual number of fish is counted.

Seasons for fishing:
Fish and shellfish tend to reproduce at specific times every year. In order to ensure that mating is not interrupted, it has become common practice to regulate the time of year that certain fish and shellfish can be caught. Harvesting is not allowed when the animals are actively reproducing.

Size limits:
It is also common practice to have a minimum size limit on fish and shellfish. Animals that are caught below the minimum size limit must be thrown back. These limits ensure that fishers are catching only adults. Many species of animals do not reproduce until they are a certain size and/or age. By not catching fish and shellfish that are smaller allows time for the species to reach sexual maturity, which gives the species time to reproduce.

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.