Rouquette, P. (2022, February 5). Floating carpet of dead fish highlights France’s ‘lax’ attitude to overfishing. France 24. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220205-floating-carpet-of-dead-fish-highlights-france-s-lax-attitude-about-overfishing

On February 2, 2022 hundreds of thousands of fish were tossed back into the ocean by a French fishing ship. The ship claimed it was an accident but according to experts it was very clear that it was no accident. The ship dumped fish that it no longer viewed as profitable. It begs the question why were the fish caught in the first place if they were not viewed as profitable. Large ships fish with massive nets and even if a fish is caught with no value it still gets scooped up. This is why there needs to be laws to change the way fishing is done. 

Mandatory onboard cameras must become a law to stop the absolute waste that this French ship demonstrated. It is ridiculous that a ship has the power to waste hundreds of thousands of fish that could have been put to good use in feeding a world that needs it. The way fishing is done now allows for things like this to happen. When the nets are deployed there is no filter on what gets caught in it. Technology must be developed to stop this tragedy from occuring again. In addition to technology the laws must be harsher on acts such as these. The French government has done very little to punish the boat except denounce it’s doings.

Hughes, S. (2022, February 2). Brexit ‘fails to deliver Government promises on fishing industry,’ new study reveals. PHYS ORG. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://phys.org/news/2022-02-brexit-fishing-industry-reveals.html

Brexit’s effect on fisheries has had a disappointing effect on the fishermen and constituents of coastal communities. Brexit promised to protect more marine habitats and fisheries while giving fishermen a higher cut of their catch. Brexit’s proposals for example promised to protect Dogger Bank an area that has been overfished for centuries. But there have been few changes made to protect the Dogger Bank habitats. In addition to this, fishermen were promised minimized taxes on their catches due to England being out of the E.U. but these promises have not been kept.  

Brexit has lowered the safety of coastal ecosystems and it has not met the promises of increasing fishermen’s pay. The protections that Brexit has not issued to ecosystems that have been overfished for a long time has put many species and habitats at risk. The monetary gains from Brexit for fishermen has been virtually little to none. No longer in the E.U. trade takes longer to go through regulations. Other European countries no longer have the desire to buy English fish due to the high cost and time it takes to reach its destination.

Yeung, P. (2022, February 1). Illegal overfishing by Chinese trawlers leaves Sierra Leone locals ‘starving’. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/01/sierra-leone-families-starving-chinese-trawlers-industrial-overfishing-destroying-lives

The Sierra Leone fishing industry has taken a massive hit as China has invaded their waters. While Sierra Leone’s fishing industry is based on men in wooden boats with string nets China boasts superior boats and technology. Local fishermen follow legal regulations and report all catches. While on the other hand China’s massive refrigerated ships swoop in catching thousands of fish at once. Illegal fishing is costing Sierra Leone an estimated 50 million a year. Some illegal fishers have threatened and attacked native fishers when questioned on the legality of them being there. 

Natives of Sierra Leone are being forced to go on risky 3 day fishing excursions to earn barely enough to keep food on the table due to China invading their fishing territory. Sierra Leone only has more basic ways of fishing which China’s high tech boats can easily beat out for the catches. The families of Sierra Leone are starving and unemployed because of illegal overfishing. Suicide rate of fishermen in Sierra Leone has increased since resources started diminishing. People are committing suicide due to their being no food or jobs to support a family. Funding has run out on groups that regulated the ships within Sierra Leone waters. The lower hauls have led to many environmental problems and issues with Sierra Leonians being able to afford the cost of living. There is a tragedy of the commons on a global scale taking place here. The Chinese fishermen have no incentive to not take all the fish.

Márquez, M. C. (2022, January 23). The Importance Of Shark Fisheries In Western Ghana. Forbes. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissacristinamarquez/2022/01/23/the-importance-of-shark-fisheries-in-western-ghana/?sh=7f976eb55319

The Shark populations in Africa are decreasing rapidly. A healthy shark population is necessary to the food supply and economy of many African Nations. 12.3 million people are involved in fisheries in some form. Up to 60% of animal protein in coastal African nations is from Sharks. The livelihood of these coastal villages and nations are under threat due dwindling shark populations. Climate change is distorting the ocean landscape changing where shark populations are located. The primary source of income for millions is in jeopardy.

The shark population in Africa has taken a step decline due to global warming altering ocean habitats. With millions of people involved in the fishing industry in Africa, many of whom have fishing as their main source of income, are all now working in uncertain times. The main fish they catch is sharks. It accounts for the majority of protein in many of their diets, and it also accounts for the majority of money in their wallets. Climate change is destroying Shark’s habitats forcing them to change their swimming patterns away from where the fishermen are used to. In addition to this sharks are also being overfished in other parts of the world. So the combination of climate change and unregulated illegal overfishing has led to a drop off in food and money for many coastal African communities. If no changes are made many Africans will struggle to generate food and income.

Yahoo. Retrieved February 6, 2022, from https://news.yahoo.com/south-america-squid-left-exposed-192852907.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFscoZPAPlFjIekuFDJj9MQ7NF7Iy2mIcgeGc4V0D-e21NdoEjkbNErgvLfC6Mw7oXSXIvrn2rd6KOgb2foY2Rt1IJeJ-NHS2UfF6mOFWw6BLo8dyzjhd5hAbif0bW-nV65-fS_B_P9bKdcMz0T0vMmw_P8CrgqNFHQ5nxXNKq3c

Negotiators have failed in attempting to strike a deal to protect threatened squid stocks off the coast of South America. The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization, or SPRFMO had a meeting in which Ecuador proposed that there be an observer aboard all ships by 2028. The observer would regulate that the ships unload their catches only in ports instead of at sea to giant refrigerated vessels. None of the measures proposed were approved or agreed upon. Biologists warn that thousands of ecosystems will be destroyed if fishing is not regulated better. 

With the regulations failing to pass, a component of South America’s fishing industry is in danger along with the health of ocean ecosystems. Chinese vessels are being flagged at a high rate of going into South America waters and unloading onto refrigerated vessels that are being sent back to Asia. But, it is currently very hard to regulate them without an observer aboard. The proposal was to have observers by 2028 which is a very reasonable date. So, the fact that it was rejected does not bode well for South American ecosystems or local fishermen. The waters off South America are notorious for illegal fishing practices and the fact the proposal was denied only makes it seem there will be no end in sight. Native animal populations will continue to dwindle and people will lose jobs.  

Wood, S. (2021). California salmon season delayed and shortened, angering North Bay fishermen. The North Bay Business Journal. https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/california-salmon-season-delayed-and-shortened-angering-north-bay-fisherme/

  This article is about fishermen’s reactions to California’s new fishing regulations. The industry employs 23,000 people and is worth over 1.4 billion dollars. But, even with all that power California has decided to push back the fishing season to allow the salmon population to recover. While the salmon are big winners, small businesses will take hits. For example “Attendee Tim Ely, who runs the Outdoor Pro Shop retailer in Cotati, estimates his store will lose $500,000 this year.” So while the decision is ultimately good for California it will hurt individuals. 

  The trade off of business reduction for environmental improvement is at the forefront of this article. While it is necessary for fisheries that the season is shortened many people will be having money taken right out of their pockets. “Association President John McManus predicted a 40% loss in the season for sports fishermen, while Crescent City commercial fisherman George Bradshaw predicted the industry’s take would be down by two thirds.” These are substantial chunks being eliminated from the industry. Crabs and fish alike will be much harder to come by. People will have to pay more for them due to the fact there will be less fished. While there is a debate to be had, the new regulations will substantially improve the number of fish in California. 

Wisckol, M. (2021, January 28). California’s fish population rebounds thanks to strict fishing rules. The Mercury News. https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/28/californias-fish-population-rebounds-thanks-to-strict-fishing-rules/

  California has taken measures to help the fish population in California’s most popular fisheries. “ 30 years ago, the largely bottom-dwelling groundfish species were particularly hard hit by overfishing and were declared a federal economic disaster.” California being one of America’s largest fish producing states mightily overfished for many years. But, now the state legislature is shortening the fishing season significantly every year. While fishermen were first against the propositions the majority now agrees it’s good for business. 

  The article discusses the reaction and effects stricter fishing laws have had on the fishing industry in California. There was a strong resistance to these ideas at first, but people are beginning to come onside, “But now that we’re here, guys are excited about the prospect of increased opportunity to harvest sustainable, highly regulated stocks and help reduce California’s reliance on imported fish,” says Mike Conroy who is the executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association. Others like Ken Franke, the president of the Sportfishing Association of California say, “It was difficult at the beginning of the program. But the outcome — I think everybody’s happy with how it’s evolved.” The regulations have lowered the amount of imported fish which greatly reduces the carbon footprint of any given fish. These regulations could not have come at a better time as “in 1974, 10% of the world’s marine fish stocks were overfished and unsustainable. By 2017, that had grown to 34%.” 34% of the world’s fisheries is an extremely telling statistic for why California made the right call by imposing stricter regulations on fisheries.

Shuman, M. (2021, August 16). California fishermen say a new air quality rule could put them out of business. Here’s why. The Sacramento Bee. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article253524069.html  

San Luis Obispo County proposed new regulations that would hurt fishermen all over California greatly. The goal of the regulations is to reduce emissions caused by boats and other fishing equipment. The law states that engines must be upgraded to “tier 4” which is an engine that emits less carbon dioxide. The majority of boats on the water now do not have the capacity to switch engines. Fishermen are very worried about the loss in profits they will have due to the sanctions.

While the goal of these proposed regulations is a noble one, it hurts fishermen’s pockets directly. The boats that the majority of fishermen use do not have the capacity to carry “tier 4” engines. The new engines would essentially melt the boat. This means that fishermen will have to take time off the water and spend a very large sum of money on new boats. One California fisherman said “But I’m not going to spend $150,000 on mains that are going to be obsolete the following year,” he said. “I’d rather use that money to move out of the state.” Many other fishermen share his sentiment of just moving states. So the new proposed law could cause a loss in California fishermen who are crucial to a large part of the California economy. 

Racine, P. (2021, July 23). California’s Seafood Supply Chain Through COVID-19 – Early insights from surveys on seafood consumers, farmers and fishers. California Fisheries & Seafood Institute. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://calseafood.net/2021/07/23/californias-seafood-supply-chain-through-covid-19-early-insights-from-surveys-on-seafood-consumers-farmers-and-fishers/

  This article discusses the effects that COVID-19 had on the California seafood industry. Farmers took a large hit in sales of their fish, due to the fact people did not want to buy local and leave their houses. Everything bought was online so commercial fishing rose in profit but California fishermen sank. Restaurants who are typically fishermen’s biggest clients were also not buying fish because they were shut. 

  COVID-19 has affected everyone including the fishing industry. With there being much less of a demand for fish from restaurants for example, fishermen took a big hit during the pandemic. With the fishing industry less in demand fisheries did have a chance to repopulate. One of few positives of the pandemic for the food industry. Now that fisheries have repopulated, one could be hopeful that the industry will bounce back once the pandemic is dealt with. But while the pandemic was prevalent fishermen had to move fisheries. This created a large impact on the environment with overfishing and the transport of the fishermen.

Fisher, M. C. (2021, January 5). Dungeness crab fishing industry response to climate shock. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210105160816.htm

Climate shock has had great impacts on fisheries all over California. These shocks cause massive changes in populations of fish in fisheries, but in particular climate shocks have a greater impact on Dungeness crabs. Heat waves and droughts cause dips in population that have a great impact on fishing economies and people that depend on them for income. Fishermen have had to move to other fisheries causing overfishing in other areas.

This article details the great effects that climate change is having on fisheries in California. Climate change does not only affect the number of fish but it has a direct impact on the fishing industry and economy. With California going through continuous heat waves, Dungeness crabs are becoming less and less prevalent. Each year their population decreases. Dungeness crabs are a staple of California fisheries, without them fishermen are hurting. With less crabs in the sea fishermen are losing money and business. Due to lack of crabs fishermen are moving to other fisheries along the coast or to ones in different states. But, with more fishermen in less fisheries we are seeing an increase in overfishing in other areas. So, to aid the fishermen and the fish California must act against climate change as temperatures rise each year. Unless something is done fishermen will continue to leave the Golden state to overfish in greener pastures.