The remarkable recovery of the Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), a commercial fish species once in serious decline from over fishing, is described with reference to an article in The Scientist (July 1, 2009) and a discussion of the theorized causes for this fish species’ rebound. Quote from the post:
The decline of commercially valuable ground fish stocks is symptomatic of the global, over-fishing crisis. Perhaps no other region on the globe is more indicative of this crisis than New England [...]
By Kay Sexton •
February 25, 2009
Magellenic penguins living on the Punta Tombo peninsula, 110 kilometres south of Argentina, are having to swim up to 50 miles further to find food than they did ten years ago.
By Michael Ricciardi •
January 26, 2009
World Species Survey details gloomy outlook for many animal species.In early October of 2008, the results of a global species survey, conducted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, were released. The numbers are startling:
- At least a quarter of mammal species are headed toward extinction in the near future.
- Nearly 80 percent of the primate species in southern and southeastern Asia are immediately threatened.
- At least 22 percent of reptile species are at risk of extinction.
- Perhaps 40 percent of North American freshwater fish are threatened.
- In Europe, 45 percent of the most common bird species are rapidly declining, and so are the most common bird species in North America.
But perhaps these figures are a bit too abstract. Here’s a more precise way to look at the present state of bio-diversity on Earth.
By Ben Robinson •
November 25, 2008
The world over, fish stocks are declining, catch rates are falling and management is failing. Ever bigger ships with ever bigger nets employing more advanced technology should surely result in increasing catch sizes. However internationally, catch rates are declining. Even small scale subsistence fisheries are in decline. Why is this happening?
The ocean is a complex system which crosses our arbitrary international boundary’s making management of these resources incredibly difficult. Over fishing of one fish species in one area can have a knock-on effect in areas far removed and on completely different species. Our understanding of these delicate interactions is very limited.
Since 1983 the fisheries of the European Union have been managed under the Common Fisheries Policy. In September this year the European Commission announced a full review of of the Common Fisheries Policy because it has failed to protect fish stocks.
