Animal Addicts-Rights & Wrongs Jul. 2013 | Page 5

Fishing for Food

How companies are taking advantage of the large amount of seafood in the ocean.

Destruction

Over the last 50 years a variety of different fishing methods have been developed. The majority of these fishing methods are unsustainable and are having a huge impact on the marine environment. As the global demand for seafood increases companies need to keep their stock up at a

certain level. They have developed quicker ways of getting their produce but is affecting the environment in many ways. Some examples include overfishing, when fishing using a net and catching unwanted marine life, and damaging reefs and seagrass. There is a variety of different fishing methods that can harm the environment. Some of the most well-known methods include bottom trawling, ghost fishing, cyanide fishing and purse seines. Most of these methods involve nets that can catch unwanted marine life such as dolphins, turtles, seabirds and sharks. This can cause them either to die or

be thrown back into the ocean injured. This type of fishing can damage and rip seagrass and coral.

Overfishing issue

Overfishing is a huge issue as soon, we will not have enough fish and will ruin the food chain. It will not only affect fish but the whole ecosystem. By overfishing the companies are making it difficult for the species to stay alive for the future, and making them vulnerable to extinction. People may not intend to overfish, but companies will do this if they are running low on stock or aren't getting the money they need. One species had still not recovered and has been 20 years.

Overfishing needs to change as it will affect our oceans in the years to come