Recovery of Overexploited Fish Species (HL) (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Recovery of Overexploited Fish Species

• Overexploited fish species can recover when governments, industries, and communities work together to implement sustainable fishing practices

• Successful recovery requires:

  • Cooperation among various stakeholders

  • Strategies that protect fish populations while balancing economic needs

Stakeholders involved in recovery efforts

Governments

• Role in regulation:

  • Governments establish laws and policies to protect overfished species, such as:

    • Setting fishing quotas

    • Imposing temporary bans (particularly effective during spawning seasons, allowing fish to reproduce without disturbance)

  • Governments also coordinate international agreements for:

    • Shared fish stocks

    • Marine conservation

  • E.g. the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) sets fishing limits for EU waters to prevent overfishing

• Resolving conflicts:

  • Governments try to balance the economic interests of local communities that rely on fishing with the need for long-term conservation

  • Collaboration with other countries is essential

    • E.g. when managing migratory species or shared fishing grounds, such as the North Atlantic

Fishing industry

• Fishing companies and fishermen:

  • Fishermen are directly affected by regulations such as quotas and fishing bans

    • These measures may reduce their short-term profits

  • They play a key role in complying with sustainable fishing practices

    • E.g. using gear that prevents bycatch

    • More modern fishing gear, such as selective nets or those with escape hatches, can reduce bycatch while maintaining commercial fishing activities

• Licensing and technology:

  • Limiting the number of fishing licences can prevent overexploitation

    • This helps control the number of vessels allowed to fish in a given area

  • Technological innovations, such as satellite monitoring, help reduce illegal fishing and overharvesting

Consumers

• Informed choices:

  • Consumers can support recovery by choosing sustainably sourced fish

    • This can be indicated by certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label

  • Shifts in consumer demand can reduce pressure on overexploited species

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

• Advocacy and education:

  • NGOs raise awareness about overfishing

  • They also advocate for stricter conservation measures

  • They work with governments and industries to:

    • Promote sustainable practices

    • Provide certification for responsibly harvested fish

Traders and supermarkets

• Role in the supply chain:

  • Traders and supermarkets have influence over the demand for specific fish species

  • By prioritising sustainably sourced fish, they can help reduce the market for overexploited species

  • Local supermarkets can also promote sustainable options by:

    • Providing clear labelling

    • Encouraging consumers to choose sustainably sourced fish

Foreign nations and businesses

• International cooperation:

  • Many fish species are migratory, crossing multiple national borders

  • Effective recovery requires cooperation between nations, especially in international waters

  • Businesses operating in different countries need to comply with both local and international regulations to prevent overfishing