Overfishing

Group #:(Presenters names)

Why is overfishing a problem?• No time for recovery• Fish populations collapsing • Supply limited 

(Koster, 2007)

• U.S. seafood trade deficit = $8 billion• discard rate in U.S. = 21.7%• 70% of fish caught beyond capacity 

Data About Extent of Problem

Cause of Overfishing • mainly over-exploitation 

(Jeantheau, 2005)

Impact on Environment• Low growth rates • Severe biomass levels• Changes in species composition &

biodiversity • Extreme changes to the ocean:       1. Degradation of reefs       2. Destruction to bottom grasses

Impact on Human Health

• Prevents heart disease and strokes• Poverty countries depend on fish • Omega-3 fatty acids• Overfishing = all of the above gone

Impact on Economy• Industry earns $50 billion per year• Huge industry; must be maintained

As technology improves, we fish more.

Fish population goes down, less revenue. 

Prices rise and technology is developed to meet demand.

Data on Impact • coral reefs being destroyed • population decreasing• fish prices increase 

Strategies for Addressing the Problem  • Promote fish farming• Allow recovery-rotating fishing grounds• Passing laws addressing issue

(Miller & Levine, 2003)

Citations Jeantheau, M. (2005, May). Pretty Mermaids are Always Over Fishing for Compliments: The Causes and Effects of Overfishing. Retrieved October 25, 2010 from http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/06 07/ overfishing-article.htm

Koster, P. (2007, March 22). Why is overfishing a problem? Retrieved October, 19, 2010 from http://overfishing.org/pages/why_is_overfishing_a_problem.php

Miller, K. R., & Levine, J. S. (2003). Biology: New York State. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 

Impacts of fishery activities. (2010, May 27). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved October 20, 2010 from http://www.fao.org/fishery/topic/12273/en

Planet Earth: Overfishing. (2010). In Green Earth for DFW Environmentalists. Retrieved October 20, 2010 from http://www.dfwnetmall.com/earth/over -fishing.htm