Two on Tuna: Japan Suspends Fishing, Indian Ocean Catch Drops
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY 
on 08. 4.08
photo by Takeshi Igarashi
Over-consumption of natural resources is at the heart of nearly every global environmental problem we face. Too many people collectively consuming too many resources, the cruel irony of which is that nevertheless there are countless numbers of people without basic survival necessities, let alone a new iPod. On that tack, here are two examples of fish stock depletion:
Indian Ocean Tuna Catch Declines
Reuters is reporting that tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean have “declined sharply” in the past two years.
Whether you believe conservationists who say that overfishing has reduced population numbers, or the fish processors who say that climatic conditions are pushing the fish deeper and deeper, out of reach of their nets, the end result is still environmental in nature. And the economic impact on the region’s $6 billion industry remains the same.
Commenting on the recent decline, the head of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission said, “We cannot rule out the possibility that overfishing has occurred.”
via :: Reuters
Japanese Tuna Ships Will Stay in Port for Two Months
Directly citing concerns about collapsing tuna stocks, the BBC reports ships from Japan’s largest fisheries cooperative have decided to suspend operations temporarily to allow fish stocks to replenish themselves.
This means that about 230 ships will stop fishing, for a combined period of two months over the next two years. The halt will result in a reduction in Japan’s tuna catch of about 5%.
Recognizing that a Japanese-only suspension will not be enough to restore the dwindling tuna population, it intends to coordinate this action with similar fisheries organizations in China, South Korea and Taiwan.
via :: BBC News
Overfishing
Global Fisheries Hit by Climate Change and Overfishing
Pacific Tuna Overfishing to be Addressed in Panama City
180,000 Square Miles of the Bering Sea Made Off Limits to Destructive Bottom Trawling
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Have you ever seen an industry volunteered program that solved an ecological issue?
HG
UH YEA,
Look at the Maine lobster fishery.
Lobstermen wrote the book on sustainable practices and fought the government to institute them.
Scientists found out that variations in the catch are normal and depend on currents in the gulf of Maine.
Do you think that officials know more about tuna?
I'm not certain 5% is enough, although any effort is appreciated. I guess it depends when in the population cycle the slowdown is scheduled. With a dwindling catch, these ships may be surplus capacity, idle anyway. However, the industry deserves thanks commensurate with the positive effect this step produces.
Carl:
The Gulf of Maine is acknowledged by everyone as a different case. First off, lobsters are an adaptable species at the bottom of the food chain, meaning they can thrive under a variety of conditions, and tuna are at the top, and are sensitive to environmental changes, and also replenish slowly.
Secondly, the Maine lobster gangs are strongly disciplined by a set of internal rules, wheras tuna fishers go for whatever they can get, because the perishability of the cargo creates very high expenses. Were tuna fishers as disciplined as the gangs of the harbors and islands, the supply would be far more reliable. And the tuna fishers aren't, otherwise the stuff would still be abundant in the Atlantic. Sometimes voluntary controls work (for a while - wait 'till corporate money overcomes the topographical challenges of the Maine industry and moves in) and sometimes they don't.
What if we also put women of child-bearing age on birth control living in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan for the same time span - a double green whopper!
if only one company starts catching less, then the others take upo the slack and gain market share. IF ALL DO IT then the price of tuna goes to the roof and this companies will gain more money for less work and will have better resources. EVERYBODY WINS (even the fish) the problem is... Human nature...
yes, waaas up, olding population steady if not reducing it would be one of many ways to address declining natural resources. japan already had reduced their population, dangerously so. their birth rate now is well under 2.1 children per couple replacement factor. this is dangerous as this ongoing trend is going to cause their country and culture to diminish and has already caused their society to begin to shut down. the same trend is taking place in europe and in some european countries, even more so. just as i think it's critical our consumption become completely sustainable, e.g., encourage bio-diversity, history and culture plays a very important role in our society as well. let's make sure we strive to maintain and further cultivate that diversity as well!!