Up until the twentieth century, it was widely believed (by scientists and laymen alike) that overfishing was impossible. Because they lay so many eggs at a time, fish populations could not be depleted.
Of course, this is not the case. On the contrary, fishing entities have been systematically wiping out entire populations of the ocean's large fish for decades, often going unchecked.
While well-intending regulations are in place to stop overfishing, consumers have a powerful say over what fish are caught and which are avoided. There are many tasty, sustainable fish to enjoy; the following, however, are the fish in the most amount of trouble.
Bluefin Tuna
Topping the list is this large tuna, the species most nearly facing extinction due to overfishing. Not to be mistaken for the canned albacore tuna many enjoy regularly, bluefin tuna is the world's most valuable fish, fetching upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars at fish markets that will still auction them. These high prices are a fleeting and relatively minimal profit, considering how near extinction these giants are.
According to the ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas), bluefin's numbers have decreased an alarming 97 percent since 1960.
Swordfish
More common in American markets than the bluefin, swordfish are another marine giant faced with severe population problems. Though a mature swordfish can reach the 2,000 pound mark, they rarely exceed 200 pounds in the wild as of late. Because these fish are caught before they can mature, females (which mature at about 5 years) do not get a chance to spawn.
The ICAAT, who also regulates swordfish and marlin, has made it so the minimum weight for a lined swordfish is 41 pounds. The result of this regulation is that the smaller, immature fish are thrown back, often dead or dying from the gill and jaw damage caused by the long-line fishing method.
Red Snapper
Red Snapper aren't as common as it may seem in the American markets, as many fished passed off as snapper are other types of red-scaled fish. Snapper have ruby red flesh accompanied by characteristic red eyes, and are mainly found in the southeast Atlantic and the gulf of Mexico, the latter being where they face their biggest danger: shrimp fisheries.
Shrimping outfits have been widely criticized for their drag-net method of catching shrimp, which has a high yield of bycatch. Red snapper populations in the Gulf are suffering mostly because they get caught in shrimp hauls and thrown back, dead or dying.
Size regulations (at 20 pounds for snapper) are also working against the smaller, sexually-immature fish.
Atlantic Cod
Atlantic cod was once a staple of the American fishing industry. Once the prime candidate for the popular fishstick (made famous by Gorton's of Gloucester), Atlantic cod have declined to the point that it is a third of what is should be, according to the ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea).
As a dire parallel, Canadian cod stocks plummeted in the 1990s, and despite a full moratorium on cod fishing, those populations have not yet recovered. It is feared that protective measures for Atlantic cod may now be too late.
Avoid Unsustainable Fish
When out shopping, avoid supporting irresponsible fishing by voting for a more sustainable fish. The power to stop overfishing isn't seated in regulations; it is in the hands of consumers worldwide.
 |
 |
