Costs of Overfishing
Overfishing is costly to many different aspects of our world. These are detrimental economically, environmentally, socially, and to public health. Many of the far reaching effects are often overlooked. The conditions that overfishing presents harm the population in ways that would not be thought of on the surface. Those causing the damage by fishing too much and also those who consume large amounts of fish need to be aware of their effects on fish populations. These effects should be understood by everyone before they form an opinion on the practices of fishing.
The environmental costs are obvious. Overfishing harms fish populations and disrupts ecosystems. This leads to depleted stocks, size of age population, interruption of the ecological systems, and destruction of habitats. The depleted stocks come from increased fish mortality which reduces the rate of stock growth. The size of each individual age group is harmed because young fish are not allowed to mature before they are caught. Also, catching large and pregnant fish prevents reproduction and creates a low spawning output. The ecosystems of many different animals and species are also severely harmed by overfishing. It prevents predators from having a proper consumption and creates negative effects toward their populations. Competing types of fish no longer have a proper struggle for food and it creates sweeping issues for the environment. Entire habitats are destroyed by overfishing. Not only does this wipe out species in the short-term but can be permanent or may last for several decades before any possibility of recovery.
The overall economic costs are steep and damaging. The temporary benefits are tempting. In the short-term, profits can sky-rocket, but in the long-term the costs add up and become harmful and unfavorable. These include fewer fish, lower quality populations, higher costs, and higher prices. The direct loss of commercial overfishing comes from backward costs and forward costs. The backward costs include labor, gear, and other operating supplies. The forward costs include processing, wholesale, and retail. These losses add up as overfishing loses $50 billion revenue annually ($2 trillion in the last three decades). Other minor losses also result from recreational fishing. Overfishing causes trouble for the tourism industry. It impacts certain aspects such as attractions of swimming with sharks, visible sea life, or an imbalance in the ecosystem that can increase jellyfish population, disrupt swimming and reduce marine species, while hurting the overall attractiveness of the destination. Also, fisheries contribute approximately $225 billion to $240 billion annually but it is estimated if practices were more sustainable, the number would be up to $36 billion more.
The social costs are severe and unproductive. The economic outcomes of overfishing directly translate and trickle down to social aspects. From fewer and less quality fish populations with higher costs, to fish with higher retail prices becomes a tough sell. The more money spent with the less money gained starts to realistically affect the commercial fishing companies. This process converts into reduced employment. Stock depletion and catch reduction is loss of employment opportunities in fishing and related industries. The impact is generally felt most in communities that are heavily dependent on fishing but in a poor economy where jobs and job security are scarce, the reach is felt everywhere. This can create out-migration in which social dislocation occurs due to loss of jobs.
The health costs are vague and unclear, but it is apparent that it has negative effects. Not only does overfishing harm the fishes’ ecosystem, but also the humans’. When too many fish are taken, they can’t properly reproduce and the amount available becomes limited. This harms populations that are reliant on fish as a staple food source. If the issue was properly dealt with, then over 20 million people a year could avoid undernourishment. In overfishing, the fish population also becomes lower quality which is not satisfactory.
The environmental costs are obvious. Overfishing harms fish populations and disrupts ecosystems. This leads to depleted stocks, size of age population, interruption of the ecological systems, and destruction of habitats. The depleted stocks come from increased fish mortality which reduces the rate of stock growth. The size of each individual age group is harmed because young fish are not allowed to mature before they are caught. Also, catching large and pregnant fish prevents reproduction and creates a low spawning output. The ecosystems of many different animals and species are also severely harmed by overfishing. It prevents predators from having a proper consumption and creates negative effects toward their populations. Competing types of fish no longer have a proper struggle for food and it creates sweeping issues for the environment. Entire habitats are destroyed by overfishing. Not only does this wipe out species in the short-term but can be permanent or may last for several decades before any possibility of recovery.
The overall economic costs are steep and damaging. The temporary benefits are tempting. In the short-term, profits can sky-rocket, but in the long-term the costs add up and become harmful and unfavorable. These include fewer fish, lower quality populations, higher costs, and higher prices. The direct loss of commercial overfishing comes from backward costs and forward costs. The backward costs include labor, gear, and other operating supplies. The forward costs include processing, wholesale, and retail. These losses add up as overfishing loses $50 billion revenue annually ($2 trillion in the last three decades). Other minor losses also result from recreational fishing. Overfishing causes trouble for the tourism industry. It impacts certain aspects such as attractions of swimming with sharks, visible sea life, or an imbalance in the ecosystem that can increase jellyfish population, disrupt swimming and reduce marine species, while hurting the overall attractiveness of the destination. Also, fisheries contribute approximately $225 billion to $240 billion annually but it is estimated if practices were more sustainable, the number would be up to $36 billion more.
The social costs are severe and unproductive. The economic outcomes of overfishing directly translate and trickle down to social aspects. From fewer and less quality fish populations with higher costs, to fish with higher retail prices becomes a tough sell. The more money spent with the less money gained starts to realistically affect the commercial fishing companies. This process converts into reduced employment. Stock depletion and catch reduction is loss of employment opportunities in fishing and related industries. The impact is generally felt most in communities that are heavily dependent on fishing but in a poor economy where jobs and job security are scarce, the reach is felt everywhere. This can create out-migration in which social dislocation occurs due to loss of jobs.
The health costs are vague and unclear, but it is apparent that it has negative effects. Not only does overfishing harm the fishes’ ecosystem, but also the humans’. When too many fish are taken, they can’t properly reproduce and the amount available becomes limited. This harms populations that are reliant on fish as a staple food source. If the issue was properly dealt with, then over 20 million people a year could avoid undernourishment. In overfishing, the fish population also becomes lower quality which is not satisfactory.