Evidence shows that humans have been depleting the wealth of the
oceans throughout history. Area by area, species by species, man
has ruthlessly exploited the seas to the point of depletion,
limited only by technological means or the geographical reach at
the time.
In the 18th century, whaling and sealing became the first global
industries.
Enlarge Image
From the 11th century onwards, overuse has led to the
destruction of local and regional ecosystems, resulting in a
considerable reduction of stocks in fish and marine mammals. Once
depleting a specific ecosystem, the fisheries moved on to unspoilt
areas - from Europe to the Americas; the North Atlantic; the
Pacific - leaving devastation in their wake.
There have been plenty of early warning signs, starting in the
14th century, and by the mid 19th century there were already fierce
discussions about the destruction caused by bottom trawling.
However, as today, economic arguments outweighed any precautionary
approach.
We have now reached a point in time where business cannot
continue going on "as usual". With almost no technological and
geographical limits left by the beginning of the 21st century, the
fisheries crises has turned into a global threat to the oceans.
Five ton catch of albacore, Santa Catalina, California 1902. 500
pounds per fisherman.
Enlarge Image
Over the past centuries and despite immense destruction - and
with some unfortunate exceptions, such as the Steller's Sea cow,
which vanished forever only 25 years after its scientific discovery
- most creatures found safe havens in remote places. But in modern
times, no place on Earth is now too remote for today's industrial
fishery fleets. Supported by satellites and spotter planes, they
know no limits in the hunting of their ever-scarcer prey.
Without the creation of an extensive network of high seas marine
reserves to allow stocks to recover, and an immediate halt in the
depletion of our seas, the chances are that we might be having the
last fish of its kind on our plates in the not-too-distant
future.