01. Photographer pick: Keith Ellenbogen
Overfishing disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Removing large numbers of fish can lead to imbalances in the food chain, affecting other species dependent on them and causing cascading effects throughout the ecosystem. Photo by Keith Ellenbogen.
Keith Ellenbogen is an acclaimed underwater photographer with a focus on environmental conservation. He has exhibited at several galleries, and “seeks to evoke a sense of discovery and create intimate, personal connections to inspire positive social change and a global understanding of the world around us.” His work can be found at https://www.keithellenbogen.com.
02. Article pick: Overfishing Leads to a Grim Economic and Environmental Future in the Marine World
Overfishing has significant economic implications. It jeopardizes the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on fishing for income and sustenance. Small-scale and artisanal fishers are particularly vulnerable to the depletion of fish stocks. Photo by NOAA, Unsplash.
This article by Eva Hagan in Green Matters is an overview of what overfishing is and how it affects the modern world, while giving a historical perspective on the issue. In summary, overfishing is when fish are caught and killed faster than they can reproduce. This severely affects the environment, and how it could be financially devastating to humans as well. It also highlights efforts to combat overfishing by regulating the fishing industry. Another recent article that hyperfocuses on a particular species being overfished is this article in AP News, which discusses the New England haddock’s declining population and how it’s affecting the fishing industry in the northeastern United States.
03. Book pick: Vanishing Fish: Shifting Baselines and the Future of Global Fisheries
In “Vanishing Fish: Shifting Baselines and the Future of Global Fisheries,” author Daniel Pauly puts the world at notice with several essays about the crisis that overfishing is causing in the global environment. It provides clarity when discussing the topic, and gives practical ways to go forward, without large-scale fisheries that are depleting the world’s oceans of life. Pauly is an award-winning author, biologist and researcher with an abundance of knowledge on this subject, tracing the history of overfishing to today and how to move forward.
04. Video pick: Why Our Oceans Are Dying
This video essay by Our Changing Climate gives the history and causes of the current overfishing crisis, from the economic reasons overfishing occurs to how our fishing practices encourage it. It also gives several ways to save the fish population, and therefore wildlife in our oceans. This is a gripping and informative video, a great way to research the root causes of overfishing.
05. Quote of the Week
"The ocean is not an endless resource. If we don't change our ways, we risk losing the beauty and abundance of our seas forever."
— Paul Watson