14 DAY TRIAL // Just recently, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released a report clearly stating that 30% of our planet’s present marine fish stocks are over-exploited, and that illegal fishing activities play a major part in this being so.
Moreover, 50% of the remainder are exploited at their fullest, so the overall figures indicate that the present-day fishing industry puts massive strains on aquatic ecosystems.
Struggling to even out the balance, WWF International argues that national governments worldwide must do their best and come up with proper management programs aimed at toning things down a bit and allowing global fish stocks to recover to some extent.
In one of his most recent interviews, Dr. Robin Davies, one of the people in charge of WWF's Smart Fishing Initiative, argues that “The current fisheries crisis should be seen as an opportunity for change.”
He goes on to explain, “As our fish stocks decrease at the same time as demand increases, it is vital we find innovative solutions that work for both people and nature.”
Given the fact that, according to several official reports, 4,3 billion people presently depend on fish to satisfy roughly 15% of their animal protein needs, it is not hard to imagine that, should the fishing industry find itself at a standstill simply because no such animals are left in national and international waters, a food crisis might be just around the corner.
As well as this, seeing how the fishing industry is part and parcel of several nations' economy, significant financial issues are also likely to emerge.
Alfred Shumm, another environmentalist working with the WWF, explains how, in spite of these pressing problems, there might still be a chance for global fish stocks.
His exact words are as follows: “Using the precautionary approach, a holistic suite of ecosystem- and science based measures must be adopted if we are to realize the clear economic, environmental and social benefits of sustainable managed fisheries.”
Hopefully, something will soon be done to end illegal fishing and better manage whatever fish stocks we still have at our disposal.