Reading - Station 6B

Unraveling the Ocean's Web: The Impact of Overfishing on
Biodiversity
Imagine a bustling underwater city where fish of all shapes and sizes play important roles
in keeping the ocean in balance. Now, picture this city facing a big challenge – overfishing.
Let's dive into the deep blue sea to understand how overfishing affects the incredible
biodiversity of ocean life.
Overfishing happens when people catch fish faster than the fish can reproduce. It's like
taking too many candies from a jar, leaving fewer for everyone else. This can be a big
problem for the ocean's residents.
When large fish populations are overfished, fishermen often go after smaller fish and
species lower down the food chain. This sets off a chain reaction, disrupting the natural
balance of the ocean's ecosystem. It's like playing a game of dominoes – once one piece
falls, it affects all the others.
Coral reefs, like vibrant underwater cities, are greatly impacted by overfishing. Some fish
in these reefs eat algae, keeping the coral clean and healthy. If too many of these helpful
fish are caught, it weakens the reefs. This makes them more exposed to storms and climate
change like a superhero losing his/her power.
Fishing methods like trawling, where big nets are dragged through the water, don't just
catch the intended fish. They also scoop up other creatures like sea turtles, dolphins, and
sharks. This unintended capture, known as bycatch, puts more stress on these animals
and their homes.
Around the world, overfishing has become a big problem. One-third of the world's
assessed fisheries are being pushed too hard, according to the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations. This is like having too many people trying to fit through
a doorway at the same time.
Overfishing doesn't just affect sea life; it has consequences for people too. Billions of
people rely on fish as a vital source of protein, and many make a living through fishing. If
overfishing continues, it can affect the food we eat, and the jobs people have.
Picture the ocean as a delicate web, with each fish and creature playing a unique role.
Overfishing tugs at the threads of this web, affecting not just the fish but also the people
who depend on the ocean. We need to be aware of this challenge and work together to
protect the incredible biodiversity of our oceans.
Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC),
and government bodies such as the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) play key roles in preventing overfishing. They advocate for
sustainable fishing practices, certify fisheries that follow standards, and establish
regulations to protect marine ecosystems. Together, these organizations work towards
preserving biodiversity and ensuring the well-being of both marine life and communities
that rely on it.
Thoughtful Questions
➢ How does overfishing set off a chain reaction in the ocean's ecosystem?
➢ How do fishing methods like trawling accidentally catch other sea animals?
➢ What is the specific consequence of "fishing down" mentioned in the passage, and
how does it affect the balance of the marine food web?
➢ Why do individuals and communities need to take responsibility for preventing
overfishing and protecting the ocean's biodiversity? How can small actions by each
person contribute to making a big difference in preserving marine ecosystems?

Unraveling the Ocean's Web: The Impact of Overfishing on
Biodiversity
Faced with the collapse of large fish populations, commercial fleets began traveling
deeper in the ocean and farther down the food chain for possible catches. This so-called
"fishing down" has triggered a chain reaction that is upsetting the ancient and delicate
balance of the sea's biological 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 inclined to be destroyed by extreme weather events
and climate change. Fishing equipment and debris can also physically destroy the fragile
corals that make up the reef foundations.
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 anything in its path. Sea turtles, dolphins, sea birds, sharks, and other
animals have all faced observational threats such as bycatch.
Human activities are eroding biodiversity and are consequently reducing the benefits
provided by nature to people. Unsustainable harvesting and land-use change are
historically the most influential drivers of biodiversity loss. When unsustainable,
harvesting (e.g., hunting or fishing) of species can lead to population declines and to
extinction. Familiar examples include the Great Auk, Steller's Sea Cow, The Passenger
Pigeon, the marsupial “Tiger”, and the dodo.
Fishing is one of the most significant drivers of declines in ocean wildlife populations.
Catching fish is not inherently bad for the ocean, except for when vessels catch fish faster
than stocks can replace, something called overfishing.
The number of overfished stocks globally has tripled in half a century and today fully one-
third of the world's assessed fisheries are currently pushed beyond their biological limits,
according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Overfishing is
closely tied to bycatch—the capture of unwanted sea life while fishing for a different
species. This, too, is a serious marine threat that causes the needless loss of billions of
fish, along with hundreds of thousands of sea turtles and cetaceans.
The damage done by overfishing goes beyond the marine environment. Billions of people
rely on fish for protein, and fishing is the principal livelihood for millions of people around
the world.
Many people who make a living catching, selling, and buying fish are working to improve
how the world manages and conserves ocean resources. WWF works with a cross-section
of stakeholders to reform fisheries management globally, focusing on sustainable
practices that not only conserve ecosystems but also sustain livelihoods and ensure food
security.

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Unraveling the Ocean's Web: The Impact of Overfishing on

how does it affect the balance of the marine food web?

➢ Why do individuals and communities need to take responsibility for preventing

person contribute to making a big difference in preserving marine ecosystems?

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