Writing Prompt: Examine the sustainability of ocean fishing

Examine the sustainability of ocean fishing
by Greg, Trung, Cindy and Laphin

The global fish stocks have reduced significantly in the past century, in which certain species have been eradicated from existence. Many scientists are predicting that fish population is going to extinct within 5 years. It is time to cast doubt over the sustainability of ocean fishings.

There are various reasons that lead to the recent decrease in fish stocks. One of them could be the increase in the global population, this leads to a increase in fish consumption in daily meals (people tend to prefer fishes due to their high nutrition value). Another reason could be the restaurants/food companies are only looking for profits from selling fish dishes and neglecting the environmental consequences of overfishing. Hence fishermen are motivated to catch more and more fish each day

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Diagram showing the consequences of overfishing to the ecosystem

Ocean fishing is not sustainable to a certain extent. Fishing industry has been exploiting the species that are abundant in the oceans, and reduces the global fish stocks. The industry then repeats the cycle many times and as a result driving some species to near extinction. An example is the massive reduction in the amount of global fish stocks by 90% since 1950, in particular the reduction in blue fin tuna fish stocks by 80%. This is not the only negative consequences of over fishing, with the reduction in global fish stocks comes the high unemployement rate among fishermen as they no longer have enough fishes to cover their income. An example is the extinction of Canadian cordish near extinction has driven a lot of Canadian fishermen to change or lose their jobs. Hence ocean fishing is so far unsustainable.

Ocean fishing is sustainable. There is no doubt that fish population is declining significantly in this world. However, many scientists are also saying that there are positive aspects for decline in fish. Among them, the most positive aspect that they claimed was that it raised the awareness that fish is decreasing from people. Raising awareness from people is the key factor to sustain ocean fish, because people can begin to think about fish, try to make solutions, and work in order to save fish population. One of examples that show the positive aspect of raising awareness is Alaska. In Alaska, there are people who are observing fishermen whether they are overfishing or not. Through having heavy investigation on ocean fish, Alaska has been able to save fish population. The cases like Alaska are the reason why scientists are still optimistic with sustainability of fish population.

Volunteers from Bristol, England

In conclusion, ocean fishing is not sustainable. In order to change this, ocean fishing industry needs to strengthen their coastal management as well as changing the fishing quota to a more appropriate level. However it is not only the responsibility of the ocean fishing industry to maintain the sustainability of fishes, consumers and food cooperations are accountable as well. Consumers must think of changing to alternative  and more stable sources of nutritions such as chickens, beefs, porks… Food cooperations must be awared of the environmental consequences of over fishing and change their policies to reduce exploitation of fish stocks worldwide. 

Fishes mught be nutritious, but consumers must realise the consequences of eating those creatures.
PS: We are sorry Mr. Barnes. The Internet in school today is really slow. Our group wasnt able to submit it by the end of the block.