Unsustainable Fishing Methods and Overfishing

You may have heard of various terms related to overfishing. But which unsustainable fishing practices lead to overfishing and what can we do to preserve marine life? Let’s dive in!

Why is fishing unsustainable?

Fishing itself is not directly harming the oceans. It becomes particularly problematic when too many fish of one species are caught at once, so that the fish population has no time to recover. This practice is known as overfishing. Certain unsustainable fishing methods can destroy ecosystems like coral reefs and endanger the survival of various species.

Unsustainable fishing methods

There are several fishing methods that contribute to overfishing. We provide an overview of the most common overfishing methods and their effects.

• Bottom Trawling
• Cyanide Fishing
• Dynamite Fishing
• Ghost Fishing
• By-Catch

Bottom Trawling

Bottom trawling (also known as ‘dragging’) refers to the process of pulling a big fishing net along the seafloor, catching all sea creatures that reside there. This usually happens in international, unregulated waters using big commercial boats called trawlers. Big fishing companies favor this method as it’s an easy way to catch large quantities of fish at once.

Bottom Trawling doesn’t distinguish between specific species, which means that young fish, turtles, and inedible species are accidentally caught and die (by-catch). As if that wasn’t bad enough the heavy nets dragged along the ocean floor often destroy deep-sea coral forests. In the end, continuous and extensive bottom trawling will turn significant sections of the continental slope into lifeless areas with highly degraded seascapes

Cyanide Fishing

This fishing technique uses a cyanide mixture sprayed into a fish’s environment to stun and capture them alive. However, cyanide fishing doesn’t just harm the intended fish; it also affects other marine organisms nearby. In coral reefs, its impact can be particularly damaging. Most countries have made cyanide fishing illegal, and according to WWF, it significantly contributes to overfishing by harming entire marine habitats. It’s important to note that cyanide fishing is mainly used in aquariums rather than traditional fishing companies.

Dynamite Fishing

Also referred to as “blast fishing” or “fish bombing,” dynamite fishing is an overfishing method that uses explosives to shock or kill groups of fish simultaneously. A single blast can eliminate up to 400kg of fish! While this fishing technique is illegal in many parts of the world, it continues to take place in isolated regions. Dynamite fishing unsustainable as it disrupts the entire ecosystem’s food chain, leading to the destruction of coral reefs. Additionally, it poses a significant danger to human safety, causing a considerable number of injuries each year.

Ghost Fishing

This unsustainable fishing practice does not refer to an actual fishing method but to the consequences of irresponsible fishing practices. Whenever a net or other type of fishing gear is discarded or lost in the ocean, it will continue trapping, entangling and killing marine animals and often destroy fish habitats. In the end, ghost fishing is of no use to anyone.

By-Catch

By-catch is not a fishing method itself but rather a consequence of the mentioned unsustainable overfishing practices. Bycatch descripes the capturing and/or killing of various species that are not necessarily targeted by the fishing industry. Countless dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and other animals are “sacrificed” in an attempt to catch a specific type of fish.

How to reduce overfishing?

After all the shocking information about the impact of unsustainable fishing methods you are probably wondering now how to reduce overfishing. The first thing that comes to mind is to stop eating fish. Yes, I know. You don’t want to give up the taste of fish. Neither do we! That’s why we developed alternative seafood products made of plant proteins. We want to put an end to overfishing by offering the best plant-based seafood alternatives in terms of taste, nutrition, and quality. Learn more about our products!