Overfishing Environmental Issues
Society’s understanding of environmental issues has a significant impact on the public’s level or concern and action towards these issues. Without awareness, changes will not be made and therefore the media plays a large role in communicating and building a societal understanding for environmental problems and solutions. Although far reaching, media sources are not always sharing factual scientific information with the public. Alex and Tyler are The Water Brothers, an eco-adventure television show that is dedicated to showcasing the problems and solutions facing the world’s water supplies. This program aims to educate viewers and provide factual information regarding the world’s water ecosystems. In The Water Brothers episode “The Least Deadliest
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(Miffin, 2015) In a document published by the United Nations, it states that “80 per cent of the world’s fish stocks for which assessment information is available are reported as fully exploited or overexploited and, thus, requiring effective and precautionary management.” (Overview - Convention & Related Agreements, 2010) Although varying slightly, this research is conclusive with that of The Water Brothers and supports their findings that such a large number of global fish stocks are depleted. Overfishing, when fish are caught faster than they can reproduce (Lee & Safina n.d.) has decimated marine ecosystems around the world. One of the leading contributors to overfishing is bottom trawling. This fishing technique uses weighted nets, which drag across the ocean floor, catching anything in its path. This is the most destructive method of fishing and is described by The Water Brothers, saying, “bottom trawling kills indiscriminately, ruining the bottom habitat and catching a high number of species unintentionally, known as bycatch.” Trawl fisheries for shrimp and demersal finfish account for over 50 percent of total estimated discards. (Kelleher, 2015) In addition to the bycatch from trawling, the weighted nets that drag across the sea floor destroy corals, sponges, seagrasses, and rock garden habitats. (Morgan & Chuenpagdee, 2003) By removing habitat-building organisms (source nature.com) and senselessly killing so many aquatic animals, this method of fishing has a domino affect on other species and environments. The brothers note that in addition to catching too many fish, “it also damages the entire seafloor ecosystem.” (Miffin, 2015) Like the show
(Miffin, 2015) In a document published by the United Nations, it states that “80 per cent of the world’s fish stocks for which assessment information is available are reported as fully exploited or overexploited and, thus, requiring effective and precautionary management.” (Overview - Convention & Related Agreements, 2010) Although varying slightly, this research is conclusive with that of The Water Brothers and supports their findings that such a large number of global fish stocks are depleted. Overfishing, when fish are caught faster than they can reproduce (Lee & Safina n.d.) has decimated marine ecosystems around the world. One of the leading contributors to overfishing is bottom trawling. This fishing technique uses weighted nets, which drag across the ocean floor, catching anything in its path. This is the most destructive method of fishing and is described by The Water Brothers, saying, “bottom trawling kills indiscriminately, ruining the bottom habitat and catching a high number of species unintentionally, known as bycatch.” Trawl fisheries for shrimp and demersal finfish account for over 50 percent of total estimated discards. (Kelleher, 2015) In addition to the bycatch from trawling, the weighted nets that drag across the sea floor destroy corals, sponges, seagrasses, and rock garden habitats. (Morgan & Chuenpagdee, 2003) By removing habitat-building organisms (source nature.com) and senselessly killing so many aquatic animals, this method of fishing has a domino affect on other species and environments. The brothers note that in addition to catching too many fish, “it also damages the entire seafloor ecosystem.” (Miffin, 2015) Like the show