Fisheries Campaign - Australian Marine Conservation Society Australia is home to some amazing marine wildlife, much of which is found nowhere else on the planet. Our ocean is a global biodiversity hotspot. We have over 320 different species of sharks and rays, and 70 of these species are unique to Australia, found nowhere else on earth! Unfortunately, commercial fishing using trawlers, gillnets and longlines puts our ocean wildlife at risk. Overfishing of once abundant species has led to some species being listed as threatened, such as gulper and school sharks, because they have been fished too hard for too long. In a world with an ever-expanding population, we need to ensure that we maintain healthy oceans while we’re taking from the sea, so that we can ensure a future full of fish for generations to come.
What is Bycatch? Understanding and Preventing Fishing Bycatch Bycatch occurs because modern fishing gear is very efficient, often covers an extensive area, and can be highly unselective—it catches not only the target species but many other marine animals as well. Poor fisheries management in certain countries further contributes to the problem. Widespread pirate fishing ignores regulations on net mesh sizes, quotas, permitted fishing areas and other bycatch mitigation measures. NON-SELECTIVE FISHING GEARFishing gear is largely non-selective—any species can be caught, including non-target species. With trawling, boats drag large nets along the seabed, catching almost everything in their path. Mercury levels: Climate change and overfishing are increasing toxic mercury levels in fish Mercury levels in the seafood supply are on the rise, and climate change and overfishing are partially to blame, according to a new study. Scientists said mercury levels in the oceans have fallen since the late 1990s, but levels in popular fish such as tuna, salmon and swordfish are on the rise. According to a new study by Harvard University researchers in the journal Nature, some fish are adapting to overfishing of small herring and sardines by changing their diets to consume species with higher mercury levels. Based on 30 years of data, methylmercury concentrations in Atlantic cod increased by up to 23% between the 1970s and the 2000s. It links the increase to a diet change necessitated by overfishing. But overfishing isn't the only contributor to higher mercury levels in fish. The study also found that mercury levels in Atlantic bluefin tuna have increased by an estimated 56% due to seawater temperature rise since 1969. But mercury levels in fish have not fallen as expected.
sustainable fishing | National Geographic Society Sustainable fishing guarantees there will be populations of ocean and freshwater wildlife for the future. Aquatic environments are home to countless species of fish and invertebrates, most of which are consumed as food. (Others are harvested for economic reasons, such as oysters that produce pearls used in jewelry.) Seafood is respected all over the world, in many diverse cultures, as an important source of protein and healthy fats. For thousands of years, people have fished to feed families and local communities. Demand for seafood and advances in technology have led to fishing practices that are depleting fish and shellfish populations around the world. Consider the example of the bluefin tuna. Since about that time, commercial fishers have caught bluefin tuna using purse seining and longlining. Both purse seining and longlining are efficient fishing methods. Overfishing Catching so many fish at a time can result in an immediate payoff for fishers. Sustainable Fishing Practices
Overfishing: Can We Ever Reverse the Damage We’ve Done? The global numbers regarding fishing have gone from sustainable to straight-up devastating in just a few decades. Now, the creatures of the water have to fear about two more things in addition to human-made disasters - the rising water temperatures and plastic. There is no harm in fishing. It actually helps the marine ecosystem by keeping the aquatic population in check. But there is a difference between justified consumption and exploitation. In just half a century, over-fished stocked grew triple its size. Even if one species of fish gets wiped off from the earth, it is going to have a very drastic effect on the marine ecosystem. Defining overfishing is simple. Man’s desire to catch rare and magnificent forms of fishes began when we started to conquer the waters. Whaling saw a rapid rise in the mid-19th century, where we embarked on a journey to find blubber. Two years later, in 1929, the number of whales killed rose to 40,201. These are hard cap limits that are fishers must obey.
What is Overfishing and How Does it Affect the Ecosystem? Overfishing involves taking more fish from the water than is sustainable, which means the number of individuals removed is more than the breeding or recovery rate of the population. This leads to a decline in the numbers of these species, which can happen rapidly, causing issues within the ecosystems and affecting the stability of the environment. Research shows that globally we could experience the collapse of marine seafood populations by 2050, and collapse means the species we rely on for consumption will have declined by a massive 90%. Today, 3 billion people rely on seafood as a primary protein source and in 2018, global fishing totals are estimated to be around 179 million tonnes each year. Studies show that at least a third of all assessed fishing practices are done so in an unsustainable way, and the species targeted are declining rapidly. What Impacts Does Overfishing Have on the Ecosystem? 1. 2. 3. 4. Why Does Overfishing Happen? Fishing is not Well Managed or Controlled 1. 2. 4.
Fishing for Answers: How Marine Wildlife and Commercial Fishing Overlap Oceana's new report shows the overlay of fishing activity with tagged blue sharks, demonstrating a cutting-edge approach to study the impacts of commercial fishing activities on marine wildlife and opening the door to inform future conservation and management efforts. Oceana teamed with shark researchers Dr. Austin Gallagher (Beneath the Waves) and Dr. Neil Hammerschlag (University of Miami) to tag ten blue sharks off the East Coast of the United States in June 2016. Satellites collected and relayed the location information of the tagged sharks over the 110-day reporting period. Read the Press Release What is Sustainable Fishing and Why is so Important? VER INFOGRAFÍA: The state of the world's fisheries [PDF] Sustainable fishing is a more artisanal and small-scale method with social, economic and environmental benefits, some of which are based on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Some of these are summarised below: Protects marine fauna Sustainable fishing respects marine ecosystems and adapts to the reproductive rate of fish to maintain a balance and ensure the survival of all species. Uses selective methods Sustainable fishing rejects the indiscriminate capture of fry and endangered species or those without commercial value. Avoids waste In sustainable fishing, the bycatch is used, for example, to make fishmeal to minimise food waste. Contributes to food security Sustainable small-scale fisheries account for 66% of all catches destined directly for human consumption. Generates jobs and is more responsible Reduces pollution Certifies the sustainability of the catches Fair remuneration for aquaculturists for their work.
busts evidence of illegal fishing and associated crime 13 October 2020 News Release This contradicts the emerging narrative connecting illegal fishing to organised crimes such as drug, human or arms trafficking. The research published today found that 75 per cent of relevant scientific literature and more than half of media reports on illegal fishing connects it to labour abuses. Only 2 per cent of media reports on illegal fishing over five years included other associated crimes. Dr Mary Mackay from CSIRO’s Oceans and Atmosphere who led the study said the research findings supported efforts to protect those vulnerable to fisheries exploitation which will enhance livelihoods, social well-being and the sustainability of global fisheries. “Illegal fishing is a major contributor to global overfishing, threatening food security, maritime livelihoods, and fisheries sustainability,” Dr Mackay said. “More than 30 per cent of global fisheries are overexploited and it’s estimated that 26 million tonnes of fish are caught illegally each year.
Murray River (NSW) - VFA The Murray River is all New South Wales water and NSW regulations apply. A NSW fishing licence is required when fishing in the river, even if the angler is standing on the Victorian bank. A Victorian Recreational Fishing Licence is not valid for angling in the Murray River with the exception of Lake Hume. As from 1 September 2004, The Victorian Fisheries Authority manages recreational fishing in Lake Hume while the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)-Fisheries manages recreational fishing in Lake Mulwala. The Murray River rises as three, clear, springs at Forest Hill (40km south of Mt Kosciusko) in rugged mountains (1,800m altitude) then flows for 305km to Hume Lake, mostly through undulating farmland or open country and several areas of mixed low forest. The land adjacent to the river is all cleared farmland apart from two extensive areas of red gum woodlands around Barmah (Broken River) and Koondrook to Murrabit (Loddon River North). Upstream of Lake Hume Torrumbarry to Mildura