Overfishing JUNE 2014 | Página 15

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Be informed

Be educated and inform your friends and family on the issue so that they can make smart decisions. It only takes one person to start a revolution of change. Start a petition, join a protest, refuse to eat fish; taking any of these actions will provide support to the empty net problem. (4)

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Shortening the season

Shortening the fishing season all together is also an effective way of cutting back on overfishing. The Gulf of Mexico, home to many different species of fish had experienced a great toll in its overfishing problem when many of its aquatic creatures became less and less abundant. As a result, the federal government shortened the recreational fishing season and limited the amount of fish able to be in the possession of charter boat operators. In turn this ecosystem was given some time to replenish and grow its different fish species that were earlier being pushed to the limits of extinction from overfishing. (6)

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Buy smart

The single most beneficial thing an individual can do is be smart about what products they buy out of the supermarket, and what products they consume. Eating fish that is endangered or from a fishery that does not sustainably catch or farm their products hurts the fish population, earth, and the companies that run unsustainable, harmful fisheries. The best way to know which fish to buy, if you buy any at all, is to follow a fish guide for your location. If this is unavailable to you, as a rule of thumb always go for the fish that are locally and organically sold. (1, 4)

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Controlling Bycatch

Use techniques and enforce laws that keep the catching and killing of fish that are not the intended target catch. Bycatch is not filtered or monitored, therefore many fish species who could possibly be endangered are being caught and taken away from their homes to be killed and wasted. One technique, Acceptable By-catch (MAB), requires ALL fish caught to be landed, including the unintentional species which can then be put to other uses or sold in different categories."By-Catch and Discard Management." (3)

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Protecting Habitats

Key ecosystems need protection from fisheries (examples: spawning and nursing grounds, delicate sea floors, unique habitats, coral reefs). To protect these ecosystems boundaries can be set that fishermen are not allowed to cross. Unfortunately many boundaries have already been set and are crossed by fishermen who practice illegal fishing, this is why these boundaries can not only be set, but enforced as well. (2)