Empty Oceans: A Look at the Impact of Fisheries

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Empty Oceans A Look at the Impact of Fisheries
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Fish Facts

• 2.6 billion people rely on fish for at least 20
  of their average animal protein intake
• Fish provides a livelihood for over 200 million
  people worldwide
• In 2006, Americans averaged 16.5 pounds of fish
  per person
• U.N. FAO predicts an additional 40 million tons
  of fish will be needed by 2030 to maintain
  current levels of consumption

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Environmental Impacts of Fisheries

• Loss of fish stock
• Bycatch
• Destruction of marine habitats

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Whats Causing Fishery Decline?

• Lack of Effective Government Regulations
• Growing Demand
• Better Technology
• Subsidies
• Climate Change

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A Note on Fish Farms

• Pros
• Help fulfill demand
• Increase Jobs and Food for Developing Nations

• Cons
• Economic and Ecological Harm

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What Can Fisheries and Governments Do?

• Implement Catch-Share Program
• Allow input from independent scientific research
  on fishery management
• Place controls on bycatch
• Improve U.N. Fish Stock Agreement and get
  increased participation
• Increase the number of marine protected areas in
  existence

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What Can You Do?
Choose seafood that is not currently overfished
or that has been harvested with sustainable
practices
Good Choices Clams (farmed) Crab, stone
Salmon, wild (Alaska) Shrimp (U.S. farmed)
Tilapia (U.S.) Tuna, albacore (U.S., Canada) Ok
Choices Clams (wild) Crab, king (U.S.)
Haddock Swordfish (U.S.) Salmon, wild (CA, OR,
WA) Tuna, canned light Worst Choices Chilean
seabass Cod, Atlantic Grouper Shark Snapper,
red or imported Tuna, Bluefin Halibut
(Atlantic) For More Choices Visit
http//www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagI
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