A fisherman hauls in a net full of fish while trawling in the English

Channel. The rise of industrial fishing has led to the harvesting of

wildlife at rates too high for species to replace themselves. Today,
over a third of global stocks are overfished, posing a threat to
biodiversity and throwing ecosystems dange...Read More
Photograph by Jason Alden, Bloomberg/Getty Images
 ENVIRONMENT
 REFERENCE

How overfishing threatens the

world's oceans—and why it could
end in catastrophe
Decades of harvesting the seas have disrupted the delicate
balance of marine ecosystems—despite global efforts to mitigate
the damage.
ByAmy McKeever and National Geographic Staff
February 7, 2022
•6 min read

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
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Scientists have long been sounding the alarm about a looming

catastrophe of ocean overfishing—the harvesting of wildlife from
the sea at rates too high for species to replace themselves. Yet
for two decades, global leaders have been at an impasse in their
efforts to reverse the damage that has been done.

Marine scientists know when widespread overfishing of the seas

began. And they have a pretty good idea when, if left
unaddressed, it will end badly. Here’s a look at the critical issues
in overfishing—from its effects on biodiversity to the limited
successes of mitigation efforts.

Why overfishing occurs

The earliest overfishing occurred in the early 1800s when
humans, seeking blubber for lamp oil, decimated the whale
population around Stellwegen Bank, off the coast of Cape Cod.
Some fish consumed in the United States, including Atlantic cod,
herring, and California's sardines, were also harvested to the
brink of extinction by the mid-1900s. These isolated, regional
depletions were highly disruptive to the food chain—which only
became more precarious in the late 20th century.

In the mid-20th century, countries around the world worked to

build their fishing capacities to ensure the availability and
affordability of protein-rich foods. Favorable policies, loans, and
subsidies spawned a rapid rise of big industrial fishing operations,
which quickly supplanted local fishers as the world's main source
of seafood.

These large, profit-seeking commercial fleets were aggressive,

scouring the world's oceans and developing ever more
sophisticated methods and technologies for finding, extracting,
and processing their target species. Consumers soon grew
accustomed to having access to a wide selection of fish at
affordable prices.

But by 1989, when about 90 million tonnes (metric tons) of fish

were taken from the ocean, the industry had hit its high point,
and yields have declined or stagnated ever since. Fisheries for the
most sought-after species, like orange roughy, Chilean sea bass,
and bluefin tuna, have collapsed for lack of fish. In 2003, a
scientific report estimated that industrial fishing had reduced the
number of large ocean fish to just 10 percent of their pre-
industrial population.
Why high seas fishing isn't just destructive—it's unprofitable.

How overfishing affects biodiversity

Faced with the collapse of large-fish populations, commercial
fleets began traveling deeper in the ocean and farther down the
food chain for viable catches. This so-called "fishing down" has
triggered a chain reaction that is upsetting the ancient and
delicate balance of the sea's biologic system.

Coral reefs, for example, are particularly vulnerable to

overfishing. Plant-eating fish keep these ecosystems in
balance by eating algae, keeping the coral clean and healthy so
that it can grow. Fishing out too many herbivores—whether
intentionally or as bycatch—can weaken reefs and make them
more susceptible to being ravaged by extreme weather events
and climate change. Fishing equipment and debris can also
physically destroy the fragile corals that make up the reef
foundations.

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Overfishing can also harm other marine species. Trawling, a

method in which boats pull massive nets behind them in the
water, pulls in more than just shrimp and bluefin tuna—it captures
just about anything in its path. Sea turtles, dolphins, sea
birds, sharks, and other animals have all faced existential
threats as bycatch.

Efforts to prevent overfishing

Over the years, as fisheries have caught less and less, humans
have begun to understand that the oceans, assumed to be
unendingly vast and rich, are in fact highly vulnerable. In 2006, a
study of catch data published in the journal Science grimly
predicted that if such unsustainable fishing rates continue, all the
world's fisheries will collapse by 2048.

Many scientists say most fish populations could be restored with

aggressive fisheries management and better enforcement of laws
governing catches, including instituting catch limits. An increased
use of aquaculture, the farming of seafood, would also help. And
in many regions, there is reason for hope.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)—

which lays out international standards for fisheries management
—pointed out in its 2020 report that there has been a slight
increase in the percentage of stocks that are sustainably
producing the most food possible, which is the goal of fisheries
management.

Still, many challenges remain. About a third of global stocks are

overfished—and the overall proportion of fish stocks at
sustainable levels has continued to decline. The FAO report says
this deterioration of fish stocks can particularly be seen “in places
where fisheries management is not in place, or is ineffective.” Of
the areas the organization monitors, the Mediterranean and Black
Sea had the highest percentage of stocks—62.5 percent—fished
at unsustainable levels.
Can we stop overfishing?
Government subsidies to the fishing industry remain a significant
challenge to reversing this troubling trend. One global survey
found that in 2018 nations spent $22 billion on so-called harmful
subsidies that fuel overfishing—a 6 percent rise from 2009.

As National Geographic reported at the time, harmful subsidies

are those that fund practices that would not otherwise be
profitable, such as for industrial trawlers’ fuel costs. China, for
example, has increased its harmful subsidies by 105 percent over
the past decade.

World Trade Organization members have been discussing how to

limit these subsidies since 2001—with little progress. And despite
a pledge by members of the United Nations to forge an
agreement by 2020, that deadline has passed with no resolution.

In 2021, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called

on members to reach an agreement, arguing that a “failure to do
so would jeopardize the ocean’s biodiversity and the sustainability
of the fish stocks on which so many depend for food and income.”

It’s unclear whether countries will muster the political will to

follow through. But what is clear to scientists is that it is one of
many measures that’s critical to saving the world’s oceans.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/critical-
issues-overfishing.
 Western Cape Government
Listen

 Bluefin Tuna

Atlantic Blue fin Tuna was once abundant, but, due to commercial fishing, populations of this fish
have declined to the point where their survival as a species is threatened.
 gettyimages-169245012.jpg

In South Africa, the fisheries industry is worth R6 billion and employs over 27 000 people.
Overfishing and illegal fishing threatens the livelihoods of those people employed in the industry.
 gettyimages-200012957-001.jpg

If you want to go angling, spearfishing, use a cast or throw net or catch fish from a vessel, you
must pay for the right to use marine resources by applying for a recreational fishing permit at
CapeNature or the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fish
 Over fishing

The galjoen is the national fish of South Africa. Unfortunately, it has been overfished and is now
listed as Red by SASSI (Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative).



Click on the images below to enlarge

 Bluefin Tuna

 gettyimages-169245012.jpg
  gettyimages-200012957-001.jpg

 Over fishing

 Previous
 Next

Many people in South Africa depend on fish as a source of food and income. In South
Africa the fisheries industry is worth R6 billion and employs over 27 000 people.
Overfishing and illegal fishing threatens the livelihoods of people employed in the
industry. It also threatens vulnerable ecosystems and marine animals such as seals,
coastal birds, and larger fish that depend on fish as a source of food.
There's only a limited amount of fish in our oceans, and those resources are
becoming depleted.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) more than 30% of the world's fisheries
have been overfished and is in need of strict management to restore them. Target
fishing of top predators like tuna is changing marine communities. Because of
commercial fishing, populations of the Atlantic Bluefin tuna have declined to the
point where their survival as a species is threatened.
However we can solve this problem by reforming fisheries management, focusing on
sustainable practices that conserve ecosystems, but also sustain livelihoods and
ensure food security.

What is overfishing?
Overfishing is catching fish at a higher rate than which the fish can reproduce to
replace what has been caught. Overfishing happens for many reasons including the
lack of resources to enforce legislation, lack of oversight, lack of understanding of
fish populations, and lack of protection of coastal areas.

Fishing used to be a sustainable industry, boats were smaller and couldn't go too far
into the ocean, but, as technology improved, fisherman using bigger commercial
trawling ships could go further into the ocean and collect a far larger number of fish.
Once a fishing ship is in international waters, it becomes difficult to monitor them.

What are the effects of overfishing?

Overfishing is devastating for coastal and ocean ecosystems as well as the
communities that rely on fishing as a source of income. Other problems associated
with overfishing are:

 The eradication of marine and coastal life, many coastal birds, seals, other fish
species and ocean mammals rely on fish for survival. If fish populations are
reduced these animals are threatened with extinction.
 increased algae. Some algae is good for the marine ecosystem, but if it's allowed
to grow uncontrollably and become an algae bloom it will harm the existing
marine species.
 increased bycatch, which are species caught in fishing nets that we
don't consume. This can include dolphins, turtles and other endangered species.
 possible financial losses for smaller scale fisherman and their families.
 a possible loss of a food source for poorer coastal communities.
What can I do to help?
The power is in your hands, here’s what you can do:

 You can buy sustainable seafood. This is seafood that is either caught or farmed in
ways that are beneficial for the long term survival of that species and the
environment.
 Buy fish that's in season. This helps to keep overfishing down and gives the fish
time to replenish their numbers.
 Eat different types of seafood. This helps keep the demand of 1 particular fish
down.
 Support sustainability groups such as the Wildlife and Environment Society of
South Africa (WESSA) or the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Marine protected areas
Marine protected areas (MPA) are protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or large
lakes. It's one of the most effective ways to protect marine life. CapeNature manages
6 MPAs in the Western Cape, namely Robberg, Goukamma, Stillbaai, De Hoop,
Betty’s Bay and Rocherpan.
In South Africa, MPA’s are categorised into 3 classifications

 Restricted Areas
These areas are commonly known as ‘No-Take’ areas, where the extraction and
harvesting of any marine or plant life isn't allowed. De Hoop falls into this category.

 Controlled Areas
These areas are also known as ‘Open’ areas. In these areas you're allowed to fish, go
diving, spear fish, scuba dive and whale watch given that you have a valid permit.

 Restricted and Controlled Areas

Some MPAs have specifically demarcated areas that are zoned as both Restricted
and Controlled areas.

The South African Seafood Initiative (SASSI)

To take action against overfishing, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
established the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) to inform and
educate everyone about sustainable seafood.
The conservation status of different fish is indicated by the colour-coded SASSI list
below. It helps us to identify which fish can be consumed, purchased and sold. It also
shows which fish are threatened and can't be consumed or traded.

 Fish listed as green can be purchased, consumed, caught or sold.

 The fish listed in orange are species that have associated reasons for concern,
either because the species is depleted as a result of overfishing and can’t sustain
current fishing pressure, or the fishery that catches them may cause particularly
severe environmental damage and/or has high bycatch, or the lifestyle of the
species makes it vulnerable to high fishing pressure.
 The fish listed as red are unsustainable species, which are from collapsed
populations or have extreme environmental concerns and/or lack appropriate
management. This category lists types of fish which are illegal to buy or sell in
South Africa (no-sale species). These species should never be bought by
consumers.

Key to symbols used in lists:

Symbol Description

Species appears on more than one list as it is caught by multiple fishing

sectors

Fishery improvement projects underway

Speccially protected species that are not allowed to be taken out of the
ocean at all

Achovy Atlantic Salmon Abalone

(Norway farmed)

Angelfish Bigeye Tuna Bluefin Tuna

(SA pelagic longline)

Calamari/Squid (various Cape Dory Biscuit Skate

species)
(SA inshore trawl)

Cape Rock Oyster Cape Horse Mackerel (SA Black

mid-water trawl) musselcracker/Poenskop
(KZN, hand collected)

Carpenter Cape Rock Oyster Dageraad

(SA line caught) ( Southern Cape hand

collected)

Dorado Catface Rockcod Geelbek

(SA line caught)

East Coast Rock Dorado Jacopever

Lobster
(SA pelagic longline) (SA ofshore trawl)
(EC, hand collected)
Gurnard Englishman Panga

(SA ofshore Trawl) (SA inshore trawl)

Hake (SA demersal Hake Red Stumpnose/Miss Lucy

longline)
(Namibia)

Hake Horse mackerel Scotsman

(SA Trawl)

Herring Kingklip Shortfin Mako Sharks

(Mid water trawl)

(SA ofshore trawl)

Hottentot Monk Silver Kob

(SA inshore trawl)

King mackerel Octopus Silver Kob (SA line

caught)

Kingklip Panga Baardman/Belman

(SA demersal longline)
(SA line caught)

Kob Prawns (various species) Blacktail/Dassie

(SA farmed)

Mussels (SA farmed) Red Roman Brindle Bass

Oysters (SA farmed) Santer Bronze Bream

Queen Mackerel Cape Stumpnose

Sole

(East Coast)

Rainbow Trout (SA Swordfish (Sa pelagic East Coast Rock Lobster
farmed) longline) (KZN)

Sardines (SA) Galjoen

Slinger (SA line caught) Garrick

 King Fish
Snoek

White mussel (SA hand Natal Knife Jaw

collected)

Natal Stumpnose
Yellowfin Tuna

(SA pole caught)

Yellowtail Natal Wrasse

Potato Bass

Red Steenbras

River Snapper

Seventy-four

Spotted Grunter

West Coast Steenbras

White Musselcracker

White Steenbras

White-spotted smooth-
hound shark

Download a printable pocket-size SASSI card here.

For more information, visit the SASSI website at www.wwf.org.za/sassi Or, if you
have specific questions, e-mail SASSI at [email protected]
Where to get fishing licenses
If you want to go angling, spearfishing, use a cast or throw net or catch fish from a
vessel, you must apply for a recreational fishing permit. There are also certain
regulations that apply to recreational fishing in South Africa’s marine and estuarine
environments as well as scuba-diving and jetski use in Marine Protected Areas.
Please contact CapeNature or the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries if
you need more information about fishing rights and permits. Or view frequently
asked questions about fisheries.
Marine Week
National Marine Week is celebrated annually during the second week of October.
This is an Environmental Awareness Campaign driven by the Department of
Environmental Affairs. Its purpose is to create awareness of the oceans and coastal
environment, the promotion of sustainable utilisation and conservation thereof, for
the benefit of all.

This year the Department of Environmental Affairs, in partnership with the Two
Oceans Aquarium, will visit rural schools within the Eden, West Coast and Overberg
regions to teach them about rocky shore environment, adaptation of sea animals to
their marine environment, marine litter and recycling. The Department of
Environmental Affairs and Planning will be partnering with CapeNature with the
rollout of their Marine Week programme in the Overberg region.

Both programmes are aligned with the National Department of Environmental

Affairs’ (DEA) theme for 2018 is “Nature knows no waste!” (#NMW2018).

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/
overfishing#:~:text=Many%20people%20in%20South%20Africa,people
%20employed%20in%20the%20industry.

WILDLIFE & ENDANGERED SPECIES

 Methods to Help South Africa’s Overfishing
Problem

While overfishing is a problem in coastal areas and the deep oceans around the
world, it’s becoming an increasing problem in South Africa. In this area, serial
overfishing – or overfishing of one type of fish after another – has left species like the
musselcracker and red steenbras seriously depleted, so much so that what is left of
them now represents 5% or less of what the original populations used to be.

Luckily, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research has started
taking steps forward towards making overfishing less of a problem. In this area of the
world, it’s even more important to combat overfishing, since a declining fish
population could mean serious troubles for the South African economy, some of
which is based on fisheries that supply the rest of the world with fish.

While many areas are looking at ways to grow fish sustainably rather than catching
them from the ocean, some of the best solutions for South Africa’s overfishing
problem may simply be new fishing techniques or old fishing techniques revived.

One solution that has recently been tried in America notes that a catch share
system, in which fishermen and fisheries are given an allotted share of a scientifically
pre-determined amount of fish to be caught throughout the season. Fishermen can
buy and sell shares in order to make a profit, and the fishery ends up being able to
reward fishermen who work for a lower cost and get a better product. Catch share
programs give individual fishermen a vested interest in the fishing population in their
area, which means everyone is working together to combat overfishing. Such
solutions have worked well on American coastlines, and they may be a great solution
for South Africa to combine with these four sustainable fishing methods.

1. 1. Hook and Lining

This is what you usually think of when you think of fishing at a lake on a summer’s
day. In professional pole catching, several hooks are used on the same pole, so
fishing becomes more efficient. This is sustainable because by-catch – or species
that the fisherman doesn’t intend to catch for sale – can be released as soon as they
are caught.

1. 2. Traps
Generally, traps are environmentally friendly because they, too, can be created to
target certain types of fish. For instance, they’re used often in the Northwest to fish
for salmon, and by-catch ends up being minimal. One instance in which traps are a
bad idea is when wire-mesh traps along the ocean bottom are dragged during use,
which can damage fragile ecosystems on the ocean floor.

1. 3. Harpooning
Larger fish species, such as swordfish, can be caught by hand-thrown harpoons or
barbs fired from a gun. This type of fishing is sustainable because it results in
virtually no by-catch, since the harpooning fisherman is aiming at one specific fish.

1. 4. Trolling
This is another way of catching fish on a line, but instead of fishing by hand, the lines
are thrown from the back of a slow-moving boat. Sometimes trolling ends up getting
some by-catch, but it can quickly be released with minimal damage, keeping the
ecosystem more balanced in the long run.

How can you help?

Even if you aren’t a South African fisherman, you can help combat the ills of
overfishing in several ways. Here’s what you can do to help with the problem of
overfishing around the world:

1. Buy sustainable seafood. There are lots of ways to buy seafood that’s
more sustainable, and you can find lots of great seafood guides online that
tell you which seafood is caught in the most environmentally friendly way.
You can even go out of your way to support certain sustainable fisheries by
purchasing from certain seafood brands.
2. Buy seafood in season. You know that buying fruits and vegetables in
season is more environmentally friendly, but the same thing goes for
buying fish. Buying in-season seafood helps keep overfishing down by
keeping the demand for that particular seafood high only when its catch is
naturally high.
3. Eat different types of seafood. Eating only one type of seafood is a huge
contributor to overfishing, since the market and fishing techniques go with
supply and demand.
4. Support sustainability groups. You can support groups that support
sustainability in fishing and other areas in many ways. One option is
to choose a credit card that gives your rewards to environmentally friendly
non-profits rather than back to your wallet. Many of these cards even allow
you to choose the organization that gets your points or cash back dollars,
so you can choose to support sustainable fishing and marine research that
will lead to even more sustainable fishing techniques.
5. Support the right restaurants. If you’re heading for an evening out, think
twice about which restaurant you choose for seafood. Check online to find
a seafood restaurant near you that specializes in making meals out of
 seasonal, sustainably-fished seafood. Just by supporting these restaurants
locally, you can have a huge impact on seafood consumption at the
restaurant level!
These are just a few things you can do in order to support sustainable fishing, in
South Africa and around the rest of the world.

https://www.environment.co.za/wildlife-endangered-species/methods-to-
help-south-africas-overfishing-problem.html

youtube video

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q=how+is+south+africa+affected+by+overfishing&rlz=1C1OPNX_enZA1067ZA
1067&oq=how+is+south+africa+affected+by+overfishing&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvb
WUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigAdIBCjI0ODQ5ajBqMTWoAgiwAgE
&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-
8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:ac8ea7fa,vid:Dk_VZXb5gT4,st:0
What is the issue?
Overfishing, combined with illegal fishing, is one of the major reasons that many fish
populations have been reduced to unsafe levels. It also poses the biggest risk to the
sustainable management of fisheries.

Climate change is already affecting weather and sea patterns, which in turn might reduce sea-
going days for coastal fishers. It is also causing an increase in sea level, water temperature
and acidification, while triggering deoxygenation in certain parts of our oceans. These
changes are likely to adversely affect the distribution, abundance, migration and survival
rates of many species.

Land and sea-based pollution, degradation of coastal habitats and ocean floor mining pose
additional threats to the marine environment. These human impacts are making our weakened
coastal and marine ecosystems even more vulnerable.

And the continued degradation of these ecosystems severely threatens the physical, economic
and food security of coastal communities who are the most dependent on them.

What is WWF doing?

WWF is striving to build resilient coastal fishing communities through implementing coastal
and marine ecosystem restoration pilot projects in partnership with various communities and
organisations.

How do we do this?
In 2013, WWF established an office in Kleinmond in the Kogelberg region of the Western
Cape to pilot fishery improvement projects (FIPs) with local community fishers from
Kleinmond, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay. In 2019, the work was extended to the Eastern
Cape to engage with fishers in Hamburg near Port Alfred. A WWF office was opened in
Hamburg in 2020.

The implementation of FIPs includes supporting the development and implementation of

mobile-based tools such as ABALOBI Fisher and ABALOBI Marketplace. These apps assist
fishers to accurately record their catch, plus market and sell WWF-SASSI Green-listed
species at better prices to local restaurants.

Another fisher-enabling project involves the use of an underwater camera known as BRUVs,
or baited remote underwater video, to engage fishers in the collection of scientific data and
provide an opportunity to participate in the co-management of marine resources. This also
demonstrates the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs), such as the local Betty’s Bay
MPA, in building resilient ocean ecosystems.
We also facilitate activities to diversify livelihoods and address poverty and food insecurity
by building climate resilience among the coastal communities and small-scale fishers in both
Kogelberg and Hamburg.

Who do we work with?

Besides working with community fishers and local cooperatives, we work with various
government departments, conservation partners and research organisations. These include the
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, CapeNature, Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research, the South African Shark Conservancy, Eastern Cape Parks and
Tourism Agency, and local municipalities.

© WWF South Africa

© Mark Chipps
© WWF South Africa

© WWF South Africa

© WWF South Africa

© Mark Chipps

© WWF South Africa

© WWF South Africa

How did it start?

In support of the government’s small-scale fisheries policy, which was approved in 2012,
WWF strategically decided to work with coastal communities in order to facilitate the
development of a small-scale FIP in key fisheries.

In June 2013, the work of the small-scale fisheries FIP started with a series of engagement
meetings with stakeholders and local fishers in the Kogelberg region, which led to the
implementation of BRUVs, ABALOBI apps and more.

What are the big wins?

1. In 2019, WWF recruited and trained 15 local community members into a full-time
learnership to work as Marine and Coastal Community Monitors to formally observe and
collect data along the coast in Kogelberg. Through the learnership, they all also received
guidance, resources and financial support to either complete their Matric or to upgrade their
Matric results to qualify to study for a Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice at Nelson
Mandela University. Of the group, 11 qualified and they first completed a Criminal Law
Enforcement Programme course in 2021. In 2022 they are studying towards the Higher
Certificate in Criminal Justice.

2. In 2020, five community members from Kogelberg received training through Contour
Training Academy to become qualified eco-tourism guides. All five passed the course and
received certificates of competency from one of South Africa’s sector education and training
authorities, CATHSSETA. WWF assisted them to register their cooperation (Sisonke Enviro
Tours) to conduct nature-based tours and other tourism-related activities in the area to
promote the uniqueness of the Kogelberg whilst earning an income.

3. Thus far, 14 community members were trained to assist with data capturing of the BRUVs
footage, and 15 were trained to conduct BRUVs deployment. They also contributed towards
the landmark publication of two scientific papers about the status and diversity of smaller
endemic shark species in South African waters. With researchers from the South African
Shark Conservancy as the authors of the papers, this was the first time that community
members were involved in such research.

4. In Hamburg, two community monitors have been employed on a renewable contract bases
and trained to collect fisheries data using ABALOBI Monitor – a community-based app for
monitoring and reporting fish catches.