OVERFISHING A threat to a billion dollar Industry By Diana Tapedzanyika
U
nited Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) number 12 promotes Sustainable Consumption and Production patterns. This is after realizing that one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and extinction of species is unsustainable harvesting of natural resources. Aquatic species are among the most overharvested natural resources. The Fishing Industry is a large, billion-dollar industry which is dependent on natural resources. Globally, the commercial fishing industry stood at $240.99 billion dollars in 2017 and is expected to reach $38.59 billion by 2026. Zimbabwe is among the top 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa when it comes to the magnitude of fish farming with an estimated 10 600 tons produced in 2014 according to the FAO database. The powerhouse of Zimbabwe’s fishing industry is Lake Kariba. Lake Chivero, Lake Manyame, Lake Mutirikwi and Mazvikadei are other reservoirs which significantly contribute to the vibrant fisheries industry in the country. This industry plays an important role in the food and economic security of communities living around these water bodies. However, the fishing industry has been declining as a result of declining fish populations attributed to the unsustainable harvesting practices such as overfishing. Overfishing has become the leading threat to the sustainability of the fishing industry. Global fish populations have declined
by a third, with some species being endangered and threatened by extinction. Human population growth has been the driver of this decline, resulting in the demand for fish exceeding the supply. The failure of the supply to meet the demand results in an increase in the frequency of harvesting which in turn shortens the breeding season of fish replenishing. Causes of overfishing One of the many causes of overfishing is poaching. The demand for fish is also on the increase due to fish being a cheaper source of protein compared to other sources. The evolution of fishing technologies to more advanced technologies which makes fishermen to easily detect the presence of fish is also contributing to overfishing. Some water bodies are shared by two or more countries. An example is the Lake Kariba which is shared between Zimbabwe (55%) and Zambia (45%) and at risk of the ‘’Tragedy of the Commons’’ and management of such a water body becomes complicated. Impacts of overfishing •
Natural ecosystem processes are linked and disruption of one process affects and comprises the whole system. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), overfishing can impact entire ecosystems. It can alter the size of the fish remaining, as well as how they reproduce and the speed at which they mature. When too many fish are taken out of oceans and other water sources, it creates an imbalance that can erode the food web and lead to a loss of other important marine life, including vulnerable species like sea turtles and corals.
•
Decline in the fish population means that the capacity to sustain the increasing human population will also decline. Fish is a source of protein for most communities in fishing areas and contributes significantly to the daily diet and eliminating fish can possibly lead to malnutrition.
ISSUE THREE
15
