Negative Effects of Overfishing on the Ecosystem
Overfishing has negatively affected Newfoundland’s local ecosystem and has caused a devastating effect. It has caused certain species of fish to become extinct, like the herring that is eaten by the cod so if the herring is overfished the cod population will be depleted. Newfoundland was faced a very serious issue because of a significant decrease in cod fish. To deal with this issue in Newfoundland the fisheries were closed in May of 1992 for two years so that the population of the cod can increase.
Herring and cod are just a few species that can suffer but generally it disrupts the food chain for some species, destroys the environment and it also has an impacts sea life. It has been reported that some gears used to fish can also cause harm to habitats with the use of bottom trawls to harvest several species. When large nets are dragged across the seabed, it causes damage to the sea floor destroying wildlife like corals and sponges. It also leads to the loosening of organic matter and sediment that are suspended in the water, damaging the health of the ecosystem. Nets also catch unwanted species and can affect its population.
Canadian Wildlife Federation has stated that overfishing cause harm to many wildlife species like birds , dolphins , sea lions and others have declined in the North Pacific because of fishing their favorite food, the Alaskian Pollock and since technology has advanced it has lead to the increase in catch for fishermen. For example, some huge trawling nets could trap 12 Boeing 747 planes. It further stated that fish face other threats when their homes are destroyed by pollution, dredging, logging and development and it is why we need to look after the ecosystem and not over fish.
Governments, both federal and provincial still continue different initiatives to protect the ecosystem. In Canada legislation such as the Fisheries Act, Oceans Act and Species at Risk Act assists in protecting this ecosystem. Under the Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas is a management tool that has contributed to the improved health, integrity and productivity of the marine ecosystems by protecting specific areas and the Fisheries Act provides for the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat and over time the Indigenous peoples expressed an interest in being involved in this so Canada launched the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program on June 7, 2019. Through this program they can now work with and support Indigenous peoples’ participation in consultations regarding the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act that provide protection for wildlife species at risk in Canada.
With these Acts and Programs in place we can see how everyone is coming together to protect the ecosystem; this is important because when everyone plays a role in policing the marine protected areas and species at risk it serves to protect and sustain the ecosystem. Most recently the Government of Canada has contracted with a company to offer aerial surveillance in an effort to combat illegal fishing and increase maritime security. It will also provide patrol for high fishing areas more often and for longer periods.
The measures taken by the government have assisted to some extent with the issue at hand but it has to be an ongoing process because it cannot be solved immediately. Studies on the impact of overfishing in Newfoundland and other Canadian coastal communities discusses the federal government’s commitment to transparency and gave the example of the Atlantic Cod which is showing signs of a comeback following the moratorium introduced in 1992 along Newfoundland’s coastline. Once there is proper management and transparency, similar collapses can be avoided and recovery can happen quite quickly if it is effectively managed.
Changes were made because of the moratorium that included the introductions of fishing gear which traps less young fish and other species not required. Also, more independent observers have been placed on offshore fishing vessels, and more fishers and scientists are also involved in decisions.
Although the legislation is required in solving this major problem enforcement of the legislation is also key. In order for the legislation to be more effective, it should be strictly enforced at all times and the legislation should also provide for harsh penalties to stop persons for continuing over fishing. Educating the population on the hazards of over fishing and the impact it has on them should also be part of the process as it can help if persons are more educated about the actual problems faced currently and, in the future, if the problem remains unresolved.
Canada has attempted for many years to manage activities with its fisheries and oceans on an activity-by-activity basis and it focused mostly on human activities, a commercial fishery. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is moving towards an ecosystem approach to management to be in line with international advancements in integrated aquatic management. Staff engage in environmental science work to understand how marine and freshwater ecosystems function and how they are affected by human activities in order to provide input to decision making.
The Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) program supports Indigenous groups as they develop, grow and maintain aquatic resource and oceans management departments that can provide fisheries, habitat, science and oceans related services along a watershed and/or support participation in advisory and co-management processes and decision making tied to aquatic resources and oceans management. AAROM was launched in 2004 in response to a 2002 review of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) and the AAROM sought to directly support collaboration and increase scientific, technical and advisory capacity within Indigenous aggregate organizations to help facilitate the move towards greater co-management of aquatic resources and the ocean environment.
In what has been called a landmark ruling in the Sparrow decision where it found that there was an Aboriginal right to fish for food, social and ceremonial purpose and where an Aboriginal group has a right to do this, it takes priority after conservation, over other uses of the resource. As a result of this the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) came into being to provide a management framework for the Aboriginal groups rightful purpose and also to provide Aboriginal groups with an opportunity to participate in fisheries management. Agreements under the AFS could provide for things like the amount that may be fished for food, social and ceremonial purposes, also terms and conditions as it relates to communal fishing license for example the species, the amount that may be fished, the gear used, the times and a reporting requirement..
Agreements of that nature can certainly ensure ecological sustainability so we can see how this Aboriginal fisheries-management has helped to do so in using Aboriginal fisheries strategies. These discussions and consultations with Aboriginals have contributed6 in a positive way to see what works and what cannot work and also to see what needs to be changed. Based on the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy a number of agreements have come into being and have been said to have resulted in better monitoring of Aboriginal fishing, improved cooperation on enforcement and also more selective fishing.
What we have seen is that conversations, recommendations and a collaborative approach are all critical to combat this problem. Although legislation and the many initiatives in place are also important this must be something that is done throughout in order to sustain the Maritime aquatic ecosystem. The government needs to be act as soon as possible after recommendations are given to implement the necessary action as it is required for all to work together for this common good to stop the devastating effect of over fishing. What has been said by many seeking change is that the impact of over fishing can minimized if strict procedures are in place stating “who can fish, how much they can fish and the areas they can fish”.
