Since the release of Netflix’s documentary, Seaspiracy, the question of whether or not sustainable fishing is possible has become one of the most discussed topics. The documentary sheds lights on numerous alarming facts about how commercial fishing methods affect marine life. Although not all the information in the documentary is verified, it’s clear that ocean conservation is critical for the future of our planet.
Why is Marine Life Important?
In the marine food chain, species on each level are dependent on one another, which means damage to one level affects other levels. The species in the first level, which is the top of the food chain, are predators of the animals in the second one, and this pattern continues down the chain. If the population of species in the first level decreases, animals in the second one will grow in population. This can lead to overpopulation and greatly reduce the population of animals in the third level, which are their prey. This ripple effect is just one example to show how important it is to protect marine life.
The marine ecosystem also involves non-marine wildlife. As an example, seabirds feed on fish. Predator fish drive the shoals of tiny bait fish to the surface, helping the birds catch their prey. If overfishing occurs, this will cause problems for the seabirds’ food supply and hence their chance of survival. Seaspiracy notes that seabird populations have decreased by nearly 70% since the 1950s, which correlates with deterioration of marine habitats and overfishing.
Marine Plants: Natural Carbon Absorption
The future of our planet depends on the ocean. Global warming has been accelerating at a dangerous pace and a main contributor is our ever-increasing amounts of carbon emissions. When dolphins and whales swim to the surface for oxygen, they fertilize a small marine plant, phytoplankton, which absorbs 4 times the amount of carbon dioxide compared to the Amazon rainforest per year. It also produces up to 85% of oxygen.
Per acre, coastal plants can store up to 20 times more carbon than forests. Marine vegetation, algae, and coral store 93% of the world’s CO2 in the ocean. These statistics underscore how important marine ecosystems are when it comes to our collective fight against climate change.
How Do Industrial Fishing Methods Harm Marine Ecosystems?
Bycatch is one of the most common commercial fishing practices across the world. This is where other marine species, such as dolphins, sharks, whales, and marine plants, are accidentally caught in fishing nets along with fish. They usually do not make it back in the sea alive with many dying in the boats. Researchers estimate approximately 40% of sea creatures that are caught as bycatch are thrown back in the ocean with little chance of survival. More than 300,000 dolphins and whales die annually due to bycatch.
Seaspiracy encourages viewers, who may not be aware of the perils of industrial fish farming, to rethink this common practice. Half of the world’s seafood supply comes from fish farms. However, this industrialized fishing method has drawbacks. For one, fish farms cause conditions such as anemia, lice infestations, infectious diseases, chlamydia, heart disease, and more. Also, the way farm owners feed the fish in fish farms is not sustainable. Owners claim producing 1kg of farmed salmon requires only 1.2 kilograms of feed. However, the feed is not only highly processed but also is made of dried fish meal and extracted fish oil, both of which require large amounts of fish. The truth is, fish farms require a lot of fish to work.
The Movement for Sustainable Practices
Sustainable fishing is not achievable though industrialized fishing methods. At Green Schools Green Future, we will build sustainable fish farms where no fish goes to waste, unlike in commercial fishing. Our curriculum will teach students sustainable ways to obtain fish, grow food, and become responsible green leaders.
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