Plastic is not the main problem

We are all experiencing a wave of media bombardment and actions taken by individuals and entities to reduce the use of plastic which is suffocating our ocean. This has been great movement and we need to continue this effort. However, if we think that this is going to save our ocean, we are wrong.

We are risking that within a span of 30 years, we will have no more fish in the ocean. We currently have humpback whales and orcas at a risk of starving to death. Why? Overfishing. This is the largest environmental issue our oceans are currently faced with.

We are catching fish that we do not need but are important to other marine species We do not realise that we are breaking the food chain and survival for the majority of fish species. The food chain of many fish is being depleted by us humans and fish is starving to death. The impact of such catastrophe is unmeasurable. We will be facing:

• Sick ocean

• Sick corals

• More algae

• Less food supply for us 

• Massive economic losses

• Higher unemployment 

A large number of marine species are already in danger of extinction including 70 different species of sharks, 5 species of tuna, the cod, the Atlantic sardines, the squid, the mahi mahi, the spiny lobster and many more. This has been going on and is still happening now. Certain governments, including the European Union, did intervene  by introducing responsible fishing management with a set of quota to licensed fishermen however we all very know that the ocean is big and covers 70% of our planet. Only 1.5% of the entire ocean is declared as protected area. 85% of the existing fishing stock has been effected so far.  Law enforcement is a big issue out at sea. A lot is done out there with false reporting, clandestine fishing, pirate trawlers and many more creative illegal activities. 

I am strong believer that education is the solution of most environmental issues that our planet is facing. There are communities that only look at today and they catch anything their nets can hold cause every kilo, every pound is going to bring them cash. They do not care that by catching juvenile fish means that they will not catch mature fish in the coming months. They do not care that catching small fish means less food for the marine predators who may the starve to death. They do not care if their shark fin soup is gradually wiping sharks off our ocean.  There is a lot of unreported fishing going on out there. And what about fishing in the lawless international waters?

Another related issue is Ghost Fishing were fish get entangled in fishing gear that is dumped in to the sea. I am sure you’ve seen videos of real heroes saving turtles, whales, seals and many others when found entangled in nets or lines. These were only the few lucky ones that were saved.

So we need to start from the basics and educate. Educate fishmongers to refuse selling juvenile fish and fish that is at risk of extinction.  Educate the consumer. Governments need to do more. More protected areas, improve fishing monitoring processes. Subsidies must be better scrutinised as there is a lot of abuse in this sector. Create sustainable fish farms with the large emphasis on the word sustainable as we all heard stories of irregular processes and environmental damage that some farms have been doing.

So unless action is taken, we humans are doomed. Yes it is that simple and so drastic. It is not an easy process and there is no fast track solution but we need change from the core bottom. Educate while improving laws and their enforcement measures.  Plastic is one of the issues but this is a bigger problem and when you buy your fish, ask questions. Make the fishmonger aware that if this fish was not caught legally, you will not buy the fish and even report the shop. If you see juvenile fish being sold or dumped, report it. Take action. We are in it together. This is our blue planet. Our home.