New research suggests that number of fish caught for human consumption is twice as much as has been officially reported for decades. This underreporting is worrying and could indicate that the problem of marine overexploitation is even worse than previously thought, threatening ocean sustainability and biodiversity.
FAO's underestimated reports
Between 1950 and 2010, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) underestimated the total number of fish caught in the world's oceans, according to a 2016 study published in the book Global Atlas Of Marine FisheriesThis report is the result of an exhaustive investigation over ten years, and reveals that the actual catch figures were much higher than reported.
Instead of the 86 million tons reported in 1996 as the maximum peak of catches, the actual number was 130 billion tonsThese figures reveal a significant drop in the amount of fish available since the mid-90s, much worse than scientists had previously estimated.
A steady decline in catches since the 90s
The decline in fish catches is not something recent. In fact, it is estimated that the amount of fish caught has decreased by 1,2 million tons each year since the 1990s. This is, in fact, three times more than previously estimated.
One of the study's lead authors, Daniel Pauly, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, notes that if this decline continues at the same rate, We could be facing a scenario with practically empty oceans in the near future. It also points out that phenomena such as the climate change are exacerbating these effects, especially in the tropics, where many species have moved toward the poles in search of cooler waters.
Climate change, apart from causing species to shift, has directly affected the reproductive capacity of many marine species. As the oceans absorb large amounts of heat, food chains are disrupted, with serious repercussions not only for marine ecosystems, but also for humans who rely on fish as their main source of protein.
Types of fishing not accounted for
The study also reveals that in recent decades, Three types of minor fishing have not been counted appropriately in global reporting. These include:
- Subsistence fishing: made by local communities for their own consumption.
- Recreational fishing: which is not for commercial purposes but affects marine populations.
- Artisanal fishing: carried out by local fishermen on a smaller scale, but with significant impact.
Furthermore, the illegal fishing, which accounts for approximately 20% of total catches, has also been largely omitted from reports, seriously compromising the accuracy of reported figures.
The impact of climate change on the oceans
In recent years, oceans around the world have absorbed up to 90% of excess heat generated by climate changeThis has caused many fish to migrate to colder habitats, usually towards the poles. This movement leaves many tropical nations without their main source of food, as their waters are devoid of marine species.
Apart from the change in species distribution, massive coral bleaching events have also been recorded, as well as the loss of key habitats such as mangroves and seagrass beds, which provide refuge for many species in their early stages of life.
Proposed solutions to reverse the situation
Daniel Pauly and other researchers agree that one of the few viable options is reduce the number of catches, thus allowing fish stocks to regenerate naturally. This reduction in catches can not only help stabilise fish stocks, but will also favour:
- Greater biological diversity: allowing marine ecosystems to be more resilient to disturbances.
- Resilience against climate change: A balanced ecosystem is better able to adapt to global warming.
- Species recovery that were overexploited.
To achieve this balance, it is necessary to implement stricter conservation measures, such as increasing the number of marine reserves, restricting the use of destructive fishing gear such as bottom trawling and promoting more sustainable fishing methods. Currently, less than 10% of the oceans are protected, a percentage that is considered insufficient to address the threats.
The role of overfishing in the ocean crisis
One of the biggest problems we face is the overfishing. According to a study published in 2009 by the magazine Science, if current exploitation of the oceans continues, by the year 2048 All commercial fish species could collapse. This means that their populations would fall to such low levels that they could not recover, even if fishing were stopped.
A clear example of this is the situation of Canadian cod In the 90s, a species that was overexploited to the point of collapse and whose populations have not recovered to date. Cod, one of the most exploited species by the fishing industry, has been replaced on the market by other species, which generates greater pressure on other fisheries.
Conclusion
The situation in the oceans is dire, and the effects of overfishing and climate change are already evident. While there are solutions such as creating marine reserves, reducing catches and promoting sustainable fishing, time to act is rapidly running out. The oceans are on the brink of collapse, but it is still possible to save them by implementing efficient conservation measures and adopting a global approach that involves both governments and citizens.