Many commercial and non-commercial fishing companies are catching large amounts of fish, causing there to be little to reproduce and keep the population. This can affect the ecosystem and lead to degradation.
Cause and Effect
The fishing industry is overexceeding more than what our oceans can provide and support. About 80% of the fisheries are either fully exploited or overexploited and heading to depletion. Because of this, many species are starting to lessen, which causes stress to the ecosystem of the ocean. Also, there is the possiblility of losing food sources which will affect economic, social and nutritional aspects. With less fish to catch, there will be more bycatch, or unintended catch, and other species will be affected. Not only the amount of fishing negatively affects the oceans, but also the methods and procedures as well. While fishing, the gear and materials can cause destruction to other species such as the coral reefs. The bycatch are normally just thrown back into the water and more than likely do not survive. Some methods of fishing can destroy the sea floor where the coral reefs are located and also the homes and habitats of many species. It is not uncommon for other species to be caught during fishing. Some common bycatch may include sea turtles, seabirds, and other marine mammals.
Bottom Trawling
This method of fishing involves a large net that is dragged across the ocean floor, picking up anything in its coarse. It picks up everthing from the intended fish to coral and other marine species. The net can mistakenly pick up creatures that were not being targeted. Creatures like already endangered fish and old corals that are vulnerable to imperality. This damages the sea floor and the ecosystem around it. The unwanted creatures are thrown back into the water, now damaged and possibly dead.