Overfishing

Wallacea is a living laboratory of Earth's evolution – and its wildlife, forests and reefs will be devastated unless we all act

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 11, 2023
Coral, Conversation, Coral Triangle, Palm oil, Babirusa, Agriculture, Mammal, Miner, Hasanuddin University, Research, Goal, Forest, Strategic planning, Talaud Islands, Rote Ndao Regency, Plant, Biodiversity, Climate change, Animal, Time, Nickel, Primate, Island, Mining, Risk, Ecosystem, Reptile, Overfishing, Bird, Environment, Hunting, Seaweed, Forestry, Animal husbandry, Rattan, Wallacea

Wallacea is a fascinating region of both land and sea.

Key Points: 
  • Wallacea is a fascinating region of both land and sea.
  • Spanning approximately 338,000 square kilometres within Indonesia, it is home to a rich diversity of animals and plants, with hybrid species from both Asia and Australia/Papua regions.
  • Take a look at incredible species such as the komodo dragon, anoa, tarsier, babirusa, and giant bees.

How the region got its name

    • Its northern boundary begins at the Talaud Islands (North Sulawesi) and reaches down to Rote Ndao Regency in the south – in East Nusa Tenggara Province, near Australia.
    • This imaginary line defining its boundaries is known as the “Wallacea line.” Alfred Russel Wallace, the British naturalist, was the first western scientist to explore the biodiversity in this region.
    • Two centuries have passed since Wallace’s work, and the Wallacea region has drastically changed from what the naturalist once observed.

The impact of global demand for palm oil and batteries

    • It occurred primarily due to foreign investments in Indonesia for forest logging concessions and the establishment of oil palm plantations.
    • From palm oil plantations in West Sulawesi to land clearing and development, changes driven by human activities continue to flourish in the region.
    • These companies have cleared forests and other ecosystems to make way for palm oil, cocoa and chocolate plantations.
    • Nickel mining also became a prevalent industrial activity in these areas, due to growing demand for nickels as a raw material for electric vehicle batteries.

Tarsiers, birds and reefs are all at risk

    • There are more than 40 infrastructure projects underway, including dams, roads, railway systems, oil and gas initiatives, and many others.
    • In the ocean, valuable ecosystems like coral reefs have suffered extensive damage as a result of overfishing and destructive practices.

Working together for a better future

    • The world must pay careful attention to the future of the ecosystems in Wallacea.
    • Without serious conservation efforts, millions of hectares of forests in this region could transform into desolate wastelands.
    • We’re hoping this event grabs more public interest and gets everyone working together to come up with fresh ideas for keeping it all preserved.

Article - Supporting sustainability at sea: EU Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Fisheries law, Common Fisheries Policy, Aquaculture, Fishery, Fishing, Articles, Anthropology, Overfishing, Fisheries management

In July 2021, MEPs approved the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and how it should be spent as part of the EUs budget for 2021-27.

Key Points: 
  • In July 2021, MEPs approved the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and how it should be spent as part of the EUs budget for 2021-27.
  • 5.3 billion will be allocated to the management of fisheries, aquaculture and fishing fleets.
  • The rest will fund scientific advice, controls and checks, market intelligence and maritime surveillance and security.
  • The EMFAF is aligned with the Common Fisheries Policy, which sets rules for sustainably managing European fishing fleets and conserving fish stocks.

New Oceana-Supported Research Maps Wealthy Nations’ Harmful Fisheries Subsidies Supporting their Fleets Abroad, Including in the Waters of Least Developed Countries

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Articles, Economy, Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, Fisheries law, Fiscal policy, Payments, Subsidy, Least developed countries, Overfishing, Fishing, Sea

For the first time, harmful subsidies worth billions of dollars from wealthy nations can now be tracked to destinations around the world, including to least developed countries (LDCs) and the high seas.

Key Points: 
  • For the first time, harmful subsidies worth billions of dollars from wealthy nations can now be tracked to destinations around the world, including to least developed countries (LDCs) and the high seas.
  • Looking solely at distant water fishing activity beyond a countrys own waters the top 10 spent $5.4 billion in harmful subsidies fishing in the waters of 116 other nations, and another $800 million on the high seas.
  • In the waters of several LDCs, the catches made and estimated subsidies received by foreign fleets surpasses those of the domestic fleet.
  • These top subsidizers may therefore be supporting their own fishing fleets by transferring overfishing risks to the waters of countries that can least afford it.

Researchers Say Aquariums Raise Corals Critical to Saving Marine Biodiversity

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Oceanography, Articles, Nature, Anthozoa, Effects of global warming, Coral, Coral reefs, Species360, Ocean acidification, Overfishing

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- When you visit the world's zoos and aquariums, be sure to enjoy the colorful corals living throughout large and small marine exhibits.

Key Points: 
  • MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- When you visit the world's zoos and aquariums, be sure to enjoy the colorful corals living throughout large and small marine exhibits.
  • Conservation of corals is increasingly critical.
  • For corals, that includes overfishing, destructive fishing practices, the climate crisis, ocean acidification and coastal development.
  • Learn more about the study, "Assessing the conservation potential of fish and corals in aquariums globally" at Species360.

1 in 3 Canadians Fear Their Favourite Fish Won't Be Available In 20 Years and Are Willing to Act Now

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 8, 2020
Articles, Food and drink, Fishing, Environmental crime, Environmental impact of fishing, Fisheries law, Overfishing, Seafood, Sustainable food system, Sustainability, Fish

In addition, the survey shows a higher proportion of 18-24 year olds (42%) fear their favourite fish may be off the menu by 2040 compared to people 55 and older (25%).

Key Points: 
  • In addition, the survey shows a higher proportion of 18-24 year olds (42%) fear their favourite fish may be off the menu by 2040 compared to people 55 and older (25%).
  • Through this campaign Canadians can learn about the MSC blue fish label that indicates certified wild, sustainable, and traceable seafood.
  • Canadians are aware of the number of stressors that impact the ocean like overfishing, ocean pollution and climate change.
  • This survey shows they want to make a meaningful difference by supporting fish and seafood products that are sustainably sourced.

Government of Canada partners with Global Fishing Watch in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing at the 2019 Collision Conference

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Environmental impact of fishing, Fishing, Fisheries law, Environmental crime, Articles, Natural environment, Fishing industry, Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, Global Fishing Watch, Overfishing

Our Government is contributing $1.2 million to Global Fishing Watch (GFW) to support the continued growth of its free, open-source mapping platform to track and analyse fishing activity around the world.

Key Points: 
  • Our Government is contributing $1.2 million to Global Fishing Watch (GFW) to support the continued growth of its free, open-source mapping platform to track and analyse fishing activity around the world.
  • Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing costs the world economy billions of dollars every year.
  • "On behalf of Oceana and Global Fishing Watch, we appreciate the commitment by the Government of Canada to combat overfishing.
  • Government action, supported by powerful new tools like Global Fishing Watch, is key to ending illegal practices that threaten the health of our oceans."

Highlights - Discard ban, Landing Obligation and MSY in the Western Mediterranean Sea - Committee on Fisheries

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 21, 2019
Fisheries science, Fishing, Fisheries law, Environmental impact of fishing, Fish mortality, Overfishing, Fishing industry, Stock assessment

The demersal fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea are heavily overfished but the landing obligation will not help to reach MSY because it will not decrease fishing mortality.

Key Points: 
  • The demersal fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea are heavily overfished but the landing obligation will not help to reach MSY because it will not decrease fishing mortality.
  • The new proposal of the Commission introduces total allowable effort as a new way to regulate Western Mediterranean demersal fisheries by significantly reducing fishing time.
  • However, this new management measure must be complemented with increased gear selectivity, implementation of closed areas and local co-management plans.
  • Different approaches to reduce fishing mortality may have different socio-economic impact.

Minister quizzed on how he’ll implement the EU’s fish discard ban

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 7, 2018
Environmental impact of fishing, Environmental crime, Fisheries law, Fishing, Fishing industry, Overfishing, Human behavior, Natural environment, Common Fisheries Policy

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee continues their inquiry into the implementation and enforcement of the EU landing obligation on Wednesday 12 December at 11.00am

Key Points: 
  • The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee continues their inquiry into the implementation and enforcement of the EU landing obligation.
  • The obligation, which comes fully into force from January 2019, require fishermen to land all fish they catch rather than discard some back into the sea.
  • Is the UK ready and able to fully implement the landing obligation from January?
  • What steps are being taken to protect the fishing industry, and how will this be balanced with the need to protect fish stocks and prevent overfishing?

Minister quizzed on how he’ll implement the EU’s fish discard ban

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 7, 2018
Environmental impact of fishing, Environmental crime, Fisheries law, Fishing, Fishing industry, Overfishing, Human behavior, Natural environment, Common Fisheries Policy

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee continues their inquiry into the implementation and enforcement of the EU landing obligation on Wednesday 12 December at 11.00am

Key Points: 
  • The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee continues their inquiry into the implementation and enforcement of the EU landing obligation.
  • The obligation, which comes fully into force from January 2019, require fishermen to land all fish they catch rather than discard some back into the sea.
  • Is the UK ready and able to fully implement the landing obligation from January?
  • What steps are being taken to protect the fishing industry, and how will this be balanced with the need to protect fish stocks and prevent overfishing?

Significant Strides Made in Thailand's Battle against IUU Fishing

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 24, 2018
Fishing, Environmental crime, Environmental impact of fishing, Fisheries law, Fishing industry, Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, Human behavior, Overfishing, Traditional fishing boat, Patagonian toothfish

This comprehensive legal reform of the fishing industry has enabled the Government to gain complete oversight over fishing activities, while also providing the tools to punish violators of the law.

Key Points: 
  • This comprehensive legal reform of the fishing industry has enabled the Government to gain complete oversight over fishing activities, while also providing the tools to punish violators of the law.
  • As a result, the number of commercial fishing vessels has been reduced by around 60 percent to just over 10,000 vessels with fishing licenses.
  • Monitoring, control and surveillance of illegal IUU fishing activities has been vastly improved by the Thai authorities.
  • As can be seen, significant strides have been made over the past three years in Thailand's efforts to prevent, deter and eliminate all IUU fishing in the country.