Originally posted by flexmoreI heard on PBS a radio interview with an oceanographer that fish might even be GONE in another 50 years. I think that may be a bit overstating it but the message is clear, don't overfish which is what we are doing now, dredging up megatonage of fish every year. There are only so many fish in the ocean, its not an infinite # so we could literally eat them all.
We hear all about land species disappearing ... but not much about those species in "the deep". However whenever I read about it it seems there is a serious problem down there ...
Our planet is mostly water .... it needs to be well managed ... are the oceans being overfished?
Originally posted by flexmoreYes, for the last 80 years...where you been?
We hear all about land species disappearing ... but not much about those species in "the deep". However whenever I read about it it seems there is a serious problem down there ...
Our planet is mostly water .... it needs to be well managed ... are the oceans being overfished?
Originally posted by sonhouseI know the Canadian government has stopped all Cod fishing on it's East coast due to overfishing. Of course, this hasn't prevented Spanish and other country's boats from fishing in the area.
I heard on PBS a radio interview with an oceanographer that fish might even be GONE in another 50 years. I think that may be a bit overstating it but the message is clear, don't overfish which is what we are doing now, dredging up megatonage of fish every year. There are only so many fish in the ocean, its not an infinite # so we could literally eat them all.
It just shows that one country alone can't really do anything if others are just going to sit in international waters and take the same fish they are trying to save.
Originally posted by flexmoreMany of the larger shark populations have declined in excess of 90% in the last 20 years.
We hear all about land species disappearing ... but not much about those species in "the deep". However whenever I read about it it seems there is a serious problem down there ...
Our planet is mostly water .... it needs to be well managed ... are the oceans being overfished?
Cod stocks began to collapse in the northern hemisphere in the 1960's (ish).
The methods we use to fish are also problematic, which destroy the ecosystems over time that the larval / adult fish depend on.
Ghost fishing kills many species of fish, birds, mammals.
Pollution / rubbish etc also major problems.
Larval fish are also being harvested to supplement aquaculture.
Tuna are herded into pens (I believe they do this for other species too).
Tools hunt trophy fish for fun, this often kills them.
Shark finning kills ~200 million shraks per year.
Not only are many fish stocks declining in number, but they are also becoming smaller in body mass (due to lack of time to grow to full maturity).
Overall I think the oceans have been mis-managed for decades, i hope we can resolve this situation and quickly.
Originally posted by Thequ1ckBefore making snap judgements after watching a movie from the 80's maybe you need to consider the benefit larger sharks provide to a stable ecosystem?
If I had to make a choice to lose any one species in the world, those nasty
oar munching b******ds would be right at the top of my list!
Of the ~470 shark species, how many do you actually think have bitten oars? And within that species, it will not be a normal everyday behaviour...... most likely a provoked response.
Even from a utilitarian perspective it is worth keeping sharks in our oceans.
Originally posted by flexmoreThe price of cod says it is.
We hear all about land species disappearing ... but not much about those species in "the deep". However whenever I read about it it seems there is a serious problem down there ...
Our planet is mostly water .... it needs to be well managed ... are the oceans being overfished?
2 edits
Originally posted by timebombtedLet me see. We're worried about running out of fish and at the same
Before making snap judgements after watching a movie from the 80's maybe you need to consider the benefit larger sharks provide to a stable ecosystem?
Of the ~470 shark species, how many do you actually think have bitten oars? And within that species, it will not be a normal everyday behaviour...... most likely a provoked response.
Even from a utilitarian perspective it is worth keeping sharks in our oceans.
time worried that by killing all the large sharks, we will have a surplus
of fish that were once their prey.
Hmmm...I'll have a shark burger please with a side order of 'get the
hell out my ocean you nasty prehistoric tooth'n'tail waste of space'
fin soup and then I'm off for a swim. Perfik!
edit. Case in point great white munches a swimmer of coast of WA
right in front of a diner full of people having their breakfast.
Locals go out to hunt it down only to be told it's 'protected species'.
Go figure.
Originally posted by Thequ1ckRemoving a top predator from any ecosystem can be very detrimental for more reasons than just a surplus at the next trophic level.
Let me see. We're worried about running out of fish and at the same
time worried that by killing all the large sharks, we will have a surplus
of fish that were once their prey.
Hmmm...I'll have a shark burger please with a side order of 'get the
hell out my ocean you nasty prehistoric tooth'n'tail waste of space'
fin soup and then I'm off for a swim. ...[text shortened]... .
Locals go out to hunt it down only to be told it's 'protected species'.
Go figure.
Finning is barbaric and unsustainable.
Its not your ocean, and I'd gladly protect any shark species over people like yourself. No shark should be hunted down just because a surfer / swimmer got biten whilst in the sharks territory, even if its a common species.
I'm a Marine Biologist in Australia, so I'm quiet aware of the risks and reality of this shark situation. We are in their water, the risk is ours, if they attack they are not to blame.
Originally posted by flexmoreOut of sight, out of mind.
We hear all about land species disappearing ... but not much about those species in "the deep". However whenever I read about it it seems there is a serious problem down there ...
Our planet is mostly water .... it needs to be well managed ... are the oceans being overfished?