Empty Nets June 2014 volume 1 | Page 5

ECOSYSTEM DESTRUCTION- It is estimated that 90% of all marine predators have been removed from oceans worldwide13. Predators serve a vital role in ecologicals systems by regulating prey populations. The decreasing number of predators is resulting in increasing amounts of algae, seaweeds, and smaller, destructive fish17.

FOOD INSECURITY- Overfishing can cause food insecurity because billions of people depend on fish as their primary source of protein. More than 85% of the world's fisheries have been pushed to or beyond their biological limits15.

ECONOMIC THREATS- FIshing is vital to many economies worldwide. Overfishing threatens coastal communities, especially in developing countries whose main source of labor and revenue depend on fishing15. For example, the depletion of blacktip sharks off the coast of North Carolina has lead to the collapse of the scallop fishery to a point of no return.

IMPACTS OF OVERFISHING: IMBALANCED MARINE ECOSYSTEM & FOOD INSECURITY

2050 is the year experts say world fisheries expect to collapse

80% the world's fish stocks are already fully exploited

300,000 whales and dolphins are killed each year via by-catch

90% of predatory fish: tuna, sharks, swordfish, cod, and halibut are gone

8M SQUARE MILES the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is 2X larger than the USA

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"We are in a situation where 40 years down the line, we effectively will be out of fish." Pavan Sukdev, UN Environmental Program

------CANADA'S COLLAPSE-------

Canada, which had once a thriving cod fishing industry experienced one of the most devastating fishery collapses in the world. The collapse of the Atlantic Canadian cod fishery in the 1990s ruined the lives of many fisherman. Learn more about the impacts of the collapse here.

We are losing species as well as entire ecosystems19.

As a result, the overall ecological unity of our oceans are under stress and risk of collapse19.

We are in risk of losing a valuable food source many depend on for social, economical, or dietary reasons19.