It's been a death century for predatory fish A recent study has suggested that industrialized fishing has been a grave threat to the marine population. At one time, these oceans were deemed immutable and unreachable; however, these have now been accessible to much human activity, which has drastically changed the ocean’s ecosystem. The study under discussion particularly suggests a specific downfall in the population of the predatory fish around the world, which has fallen down by two thirds in only the previous century. Most of the damage has been noticed to be from the industrialized fishing practices which had started in the 1970s. Although many people may think that, fewer predators may actually be safer for the ocean; these large animals at the top of the food chain actually maintain ecological health. They are also called keystone species and their disappearance can harm the balance of nature down the food chain. Predatory fish like swordfish, tuna, grouper and sharks are typically the ones consumed the most. Hence, fishermen target these fish first until they are depleted in that area, before moving on to the smaller ones. This process is called as fishing down the food web. It makes better economic sense considering that the bigger fish is demanded more. Scientists have recently analyzed over 200 food-web models from around the world, which include over 3,000 ocean species. They found that the humans had reduced the overall predatory fish biomass by two thirds in the last century; with the worst collapse in the last forty years. This is although not much of a surprise. According to the international Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species deems grouper at a 12 percent, tuna and billfish at a 11 percent and sharks and rays to be at a 24 percent chance of extinction.Villy Christensen, one of the authors of this research says that these predators are very important for maintaining the ecosystem health. Also that the collapse of the larger fish may cause decades again to rebuild. The main problem that stands is that there are no effective institutions for fisheries management. There need to be effective management in all countries or else it might have heavy consequences. Other agencies and social workers throughout the world are also working to help this situation of the dying marine population. This predatory fish is not only a victim to hunting, but it also suffers from oil and other garbage spill.
Related Article: http://www.researchomatic.com/New-Research/Effects-on-Aquatic-Habitat-and-Fish-Communities422747.html