save the ocean

dolphins fish fish fish

article: ©Greenpeace - http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/ECommerce/banner/oceans/oceans_oc.htm


Today's exploitative fishing practices
exceed nature's ability to replenish
the ocean's fish stocks.

According to the United Nations, 71-78% of the world's fisheries are 'fully exploited', 'over exploited' or significantly depleted'. Some species have already been fished to commercial extinction. More are on the verge of extinction. More are on the verge of extinction.Fishing does not only threaten the fish species we target for food. Other species such as marine mammals and seabirds are caught incidentally in fishing gear and killed.
Moreover, the fishing practices are destructive. Bottom trawling, for example, is a destructive way of 'strip mining' the ocean surface, harvesting the species that live there. It can destroy entire habitats found on the ocean floor.
The impacts are felt throughout the marine ecosystems. Scientists are already warning that the oceans will suffer profound changes as a result of overfishing and destructive fishing practices.
Most fishing gear is not selective. This means that as well as the 'target' species of fish it catches, any number of 'non-target' species may also be hauled in.