What can I do to help

The effects of overfishing are still reversible, that is, if we act now and act strongly.

When fish stocks decline and and fisheries become commercially unviable Commercially unviable: The fishing effort -taking in account costs, subsidies, offset prices etc- needed being too high to make an economic profit. the damaged stock gets some rest and generally struggles along on a pathetic level compared to it's pre-fishing level, but doesn't go biologically extinct Biologically extinct: when a species population density is so low that no partners are available for mating purposes.. A damaged system is struggling and shifting, but can still be active (e.g. filled with jellyfish instead of cod).

If we want to we can reverse most of the destruction. In some situations it might only take a decade, in other situations it might take many centuries. Yet in the end we can have productive and healthy oceans again as is shown in many examples around the world. We do however need to act on it now, before we cross the point of no return.

Every long-term successful and sustainable fishery, near-shore or high-seas, needs to be managed according to some basic ground rules:

• Safe catch limits
  A constantly reassessed, scientifically determined, limit on the total number of fish caught and landed by a fishery. Politics and short time economical incentives should have no role in this.
  
  
• Controls on bycatch
  The use of techniques or management rules to prevent the unintentional killing and disposal of fish, crustaceans and other oceanic life not part of the target catch or landed.
  
  
• Protection of pristine and important habitats
  The key parts in ecosystems need full protection from destructive fisheries; e.g. the spawning and nursing grounds of fish, delicate sea floor, unique unexplored habitats, and corals.
  
  
• Monitoring and Enforcement
  A monitoring system to make sure fishermen do not land more than they are allowed to, do not fish in closed areas and cheat as less as possible. Strong monetary enforcement is needed to make it uneconomic to cheat.

We need to make sure management systems based on these rules are implemented everywhere. In combination with the banning of the lavish -hidden- subsidies to commercially unviable fisheries.

So, what can I do to help

It's fair to say that individuals cannot solve this global problem all by ourselves, we need politicians to strengthen international law. What we can do is make a difference. Over a decade ago many people started buying dolphin-friendly tuna. Now the time has come to buy ocean friendly tuna. Which might actually entail not buying any tuna at all. Check out the Guide to Good Fish Guides. Here are some of the actions you yourself can undertake.

• Be informed
  Read up a bit on the issues of overfishing, have a look at some articles on this site, see if you can find some information regarding your local situation. Keep in mind that while this is a global problem every local situation is different.
  
  
• Know what you eat
  If you eat fish make sure you know what you eat, and pick the ones with the lowest impact. Have a look at the Guide to Good Fish Guides for some tips.
  
  
• Spread the word
  I know, it's all rather obvious, but this is simply how it works. Let your voice be heard!
  • Friends - Mention to your friends why you refrain from eating certain fish, tell them about the problems we're facing -pointing them to the Overfishing Basics at overfishing.org might be a good idea. More material can be found on the teaching materials page.
    
    
  • Elected officials - Write to your elected officials or political party and tell them you are concerned about overfishing and destructive fishing methods. Ask them what they think of the fisheries problem and what they are doing to manage our oceans in a sustainable manner.
    
    
  • Media - Your local newspaper almost certainly has a section dedicated for letters by readers or articles. If you are motivated writing a letter to the editor is a good way of getting a wide audience.
    
    
  • Do you have a weblog or website? Write about the state of our oceans and how overfishing is affecting the life of all of us. If you want to link back to overfishing.org there are some buttons you can use.
    
    
  • Students! Have to write a research paper on "something environmental", "an issue that affects you" or "2000 words on a topic of your choice"? Consider the issue of overfishing or the wider issue of the state of our oceans and the various ways humanity is using and polluting it.
    
    
  • Twitter! - Tweet about the threat of overfishing!
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  • Facebook! - Like this website on Facebook!
    

Continue to chapter four: Where can I find answers.