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Overfshing
in the
Pacifc
Devin Bush
Brett Evans
Jeremy Meredith
Bridget Vallejo
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Table of Contents
Background
About the Fish...
People are the Problem
Solution
Grocer Interview
Regulations arent Regulated
Solution
Alaska Fish Co. Interview
Places Afected
Solution
Appendix
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5-9
10
11
12-13
14
15
16-17
18-19
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22+
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Background About the Fish...
Te ocean makes up three-fourths of the earths
surface, and with that comes the creation of
a habitat for more than half of the worlds
wildlife. Since grade school, we have all been
warned about the problems with pollution, over
using our resources, and what would happen
when our resources are used up.But until the
1980s, we did not become aware of just how
much of the oceans wildlife we were using.
Overfshing in the Pacifc Ocean is becoming
a real problem. According to the Green Peace
Organizations marine ecologists, overfshing
is the biggest threat to the ecosystem.
Populations of top predators, a key indicator
of ecosystem health, are disappearing at a
frightening rate, and 90 percent of the large
fsh that many of us love to eat, such as tuna,
swordfsh, marlin, cod, halibut, skate, and
founder have been fshed out since large scale
industrial fshing began in the 1950s.
As many as 90% of the Pacifc Bluefn tuna
have been fshed. Tis number may actually
have been underestimated, as its not always
in commerces best interest to report numbers
accurately. Te nation of Japan is responsible
for more than half of the worlds Bluefn
consumption, where it is served as a high-
priced sushi delicacy
EX: EXTINCT No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
EW: EXTINCT IN THE WILD Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized
population
CR: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
EN: ENDANGERED Facing a [very] high risk of extinction in the Wild
VU: VULNERABLE Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
NT: NEAR THREATENED Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
LC: LEAST CONCERN Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near
Treatened
Key for next page:
6 7
Bigeye tuna are generally smaller than Bluefn
and larger than Yellowfn. Tey are long and
streamlined, have dark metallic blue on their
backs and upper sides, and are nearly white
on their lower sides and belly. Tey can live as
long as 10 to 12 years. Bigeye are found in the
subtropical and tropical areas of the Atlantic
(but not in the Mediterranean), Indian and
Pacifc Oceans.
Bigeye tuna are an important commercial fsh,
usually marketed as fresh or frozen. Juvenile
Bigeye tuna are increasingly caught as by catch
in skipjack tuna fsheries because they school
with skipack.
Bigeye tuna are prized in Asia for sashimi as
well as frozen and fresh in other markets. Like
Albacore Tuna, Bigeye tuna also provide food
and livelihoods for people. Tey are more than
just seafood; they are a top predator in the
marine food chain, maintaining a balance in
the ocean environment.
As Bluefn tuna populations shrink around
the world, pressure on Bigeye fsheries is
increasing. According to information collected
by the International Seafood Sustainability
Foundation (ISSF) Scientifc Advisory
Committee, overfshing is occurring in Eastern
and Western Pacifc Oceans.
Bluefn are the largest tuna and can live up to 40
years. Tey migrate across oceans and can dive
more than 4,000 feet. Bluefn tuna are made for
speed: built like torpedoes, have retractable fns
and their eyes are set fush to their body. Tey
are tremendous predators from the moment
they hatch, seeking out schools of fsh like
herring, mackerel and even eels. Tey hunt by
sight and have the sharpest vision of any bony
fsh. Tere are three species of Bluefn: Atlantic
(the largest and most endangered), Pacifc,
and Southern. Most catches of the Atlantic
Bluefn tuna are taken from the Mediterranean
Sea, which is the most important Bluefn tuna
fshery in the world.
Like Albacore Tuna, Bluefn tuna also provide
food and livelihoods for people. Tey are
more than just seafood; they are a top predator
in the marine food chain, maintaining a
balance in the ocean environment. Tis
disappearance is afecting more than just the
oceanic environment; it is efecting economies
throughout the world.
Illegal fshing of Atlantic Bluefn tuna is a big
problem and the fshery has been plagued by
lack of enforcement and control.
As the methods of catching tuna have
improved over the years, the conservation and
management of tuna has not evolved as quickly.
Albacore is one of the smaller tuna species,
reaching sizes between skipjack and Yellowfn.
Tey are bullet-shaped with a dark blue
back and lighter blue-gray sides and belly.
Albacore tuna also have very long pectoral
fns and live for around 12 years. Tey tend
to travel in single species schools, without the
level of mixing as seen in other species and
migrate throughout all ocean waters and the
Mediterranean.
Although tuna do provide food and livelihoods
for people, they are more than just seafood.
Tuna are a top predator in the marine food
chain, maintaining a balance in the ocean
environment.
Tese fsh are important commercially, as they
are one of the two main canned tuna species
(along with skipjack), and labeled as solid
white tuna.
Tuna are remarkable and impressive wild
animals. Some species of tuna can swim as fast
as 43 miles per hour. Tuna swim incredible
distances as they migrate. Some tuna are born
in the Gulf of Mexico; cross the entire Atlantic
Ocean to feed of the coast of Europe, and then
swim all the way back to the Gulf to breed.
Tuna are among the most commercially
valuable fsh on the planet. Te Atlantic Bluefn
is a highly sought-afer delicacy for sushi and
sashimi in Asiaa single fsh has sold for
over $700,000! Driven by such high prices,
fshermen use even more refned techniques to
catch tuna. And the fsh are disappearing as a
result.
According to information collected by
the International Seafood Sustainability
Foundation (ISSF), the Eastern Pacifc stock of
Yellowfn is overfshed and some overfshing is
occurring in the Indian Ocean. Te northern
and southern Atlantic Ocean stocks of albacore
are also overfshed. Te skipjack tuna, while
quite resilient, could easily slip into a vulnerable
state due to overfshing if improperly managed.
About the Fish... About the Fish...
Tuna: LC - EN
Albacore: NT
Bigeye: VU Bluefn: EN
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Since juvenile Yellowfn school with adult
skipjack, they are increasingly caught as by
catch by vessels that target skipjack. Te
removal of these juveniles before they have a
chance to spawn could lead to fewer Yellowfn
in the long term.
Skipjack tuna are abundant throughout their
range and populations appear healthy. However,
since juvenile Yellowfn and Bigeye tuna ofen
school with adult skipjack, they are caught by
purse seine vessels that target skipjack.
Yellowfn tuna are torpedo-shaped with dark
metallic blue backs, yellow sides, and a silver
belly. Tey have very long anal and dorsal fns
and fnlets that are bright yellow. Yellowfn
can live up to six or seven years. Tey are
highly migratory and are found throughout
the Pacifc, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Tey
form schools with other tunas like skipjack and
Bigeye, and are also known to associate with
dolphins.
Yellowfn are an important commercial tuna
species, particularly the raw sashimi market.
According to information collected by the ISSF
Scientifc Advisory Committee, the Eastern
Pacifc stock of Yellowfn is overfshed and
some overfshing is occurring in the Indian
Ocean.
Bluefn tuna populations have declined severely
from overfshing and illegal fshing over the
past few decades not just Atlantic Bluefn
tuna, but also Pacifc Bluefn tuna and Southern
Bluefn tuna. Population declines have been
largely driven by the demand for this fsh in
high end sushi markets.
Skipjack are the smallest and most abundant of
the major commercial tuna species. Tey have a
streamlined body that is mostly without scales.
Teir backs are dark purple-blue and their
lower sides and bellies are silver with four to
six dark bands. Skipjack can live as long as 8-10
years. Tey are found mainly in the tropical
areas of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacifc Oceans,
with the greatest abundance seen near the
equator. Skipjack usually swim near the surface
at night and can dive up to 850 feet during the
day. Large schools of adult skipjack tuna ofen
mix with juvenile Yellowfn and Bigeye tuna.
Skipjack are commercially important as the
main species of canned tuna. Te skipjack
tuna, while quite resilient, could easily slip
into a vulnerable state due to overfshing if
improperly managed.
About the Fish... About the Fish...
Skipjack: LC
Yellowfn: NT
10 11
People are the problem Solution
In the last 55 years, humans have wiped out
90% of the oceans top predators. It is not just
the fsh who are caught in these enormous
nets; animals like turtles, dolphins, sharks and
sea birds frequently get tangled up in these
nets. Tey are part of what the industry calls a
bycatch. Ofen times these animals are pulled
up by the nets and then tossed back into the
sea either dead or dying. To make matters
worse, some governments provide subsidies to
fsheries, encouraging even more overfshing!
With the increase of fshing on the predatory
level of the oceans ecosystem, there is a need
that is not being met. If fsh like salmon or tuna
are to be farmed, an estimated four to eleven
pounds of prey fsh need to be consumed for
the fsh to grow just one pound. Tat is a lot
of prey fsh, with ships dragging nets over
the seafoor to catch fsh regularly- they are
destroying the very environment that needs to
be preserved.
Many wonder where the problem can be
pinpointed; Taipei Times has the answer. Japan
is the world top fsh consumer claiming more
that 99% of the worlds catch yearly. In 2005 the
country exceeded its fshing quota by over 25%
to keep up with growing demands. While many
people have reason to worry about their fresh
sushi supplies, measurements have been taken
and fnd that at this point in time over 70%
of the worlds commercial fsh stock has been
depleted.
According to Pew Research, the Pacifc 6
are responsible for the catch of 111,482 metric
tons of tuna in 2011. All the blame cannot
be placed on Japans shoulders alone. Pew
Charitable Trust have devised a shame list for
contributors of the overfshing in the Pacifc
Ocean; at the top of this list are Indonesia,
Chinese, Taipei and South Korea.
What can be done to aid in the replenishing of
the world fsh stocks? Under new regulations
given by the Commission for Conservation
of Southern Bluefn Tuna, (comprising Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and South
Korea) each fsh company will be allotted a
specifc quota and require all fsh to be tagged
with where and when it was caught.
Organizations like the Western and Central
Pacifc Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) are
demanding to see a change by the year 2018.
Tey state that countries have a responsibility
to end overfshing of tuna by 2018 and take
action to rebuild the severely depleted Pacifc
Bluefn population now at just 3.6 percent of
unfshed levels.
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Grocer Interview
Tis interview was conducted by Bridget
Vallejo. She interviewed a local grocer who has
worked in the fsh section of the market for
seven years.
Q: Where do most of the fsh that are sold in
this store come from?
A: Tey are shipped from places like Alaska for
our salmon and the rest come from fsheries.
Tat is the only way to get fsh in these parts.
Q: I know that Bluefn tuna is already hard to
come by here, but have you seen any afects on
the fsh produce that you do receive?
A: Yes, there is a constant price increase. We get
most of our produce from farms these days just
because those are the only places that can sell at
a reasonable price.
Q: What do you think should happen with the
current fsh situations? Like with the bigger,
predatory fsh we only fnd in the ocean.
A: Everyone is dying to get their hands on that
quality of fsh. It is the best you will ever taste. I
would love to be able to provide that experience
for my customers. But we cant aford it. We
need to fnd alternative resources. We need to
fnd other fsh that the people will love. Tats
what I would do anyway.
Q: Do you believe that ocean fshing should be
put on a stand still until these fsh are better
sustained again?
A: Absolutely, the quality of fsh that you can
get from the ocean is unparalleled. I would love
to see Pacifc Ocean beauties in my cases in the
future. But from where Im sitting that is just
not going to happen right now.
Tis chart shows the rapid increase in tuna fshing up to the year 2000. At almost any year, the
amount of tuna caught is twice as much as other fsh in the sea. In the year 2000 we can see that
amount of tuna caught more than triples the amount of deep water species caught.
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Te ultimate problem surrounding overfshing
of Pacifc bluefn tuna is that of high customer
demand and low supply. If people chose
alternatives to bluefn sushi or steak, then the
lower demand for the tuna would help reduce
the strain on tuna populations.
In addition to the human-interest solution, an
enforcement of the fshing laws and restrictions
can solve the overfshing problem.
Marine sanctuaries are designed to give tuna
and other fsh safe places to congregate and
help their populations recover from the efects
of fshing. Tese sanctuaries are usually found
in the fshs natural spawning grounds, which
give the fsh a prime location to be born and
grow into adulthood. Ideally, fsh should only
be caught as adults, because it gives the entire
fsh population an opportunity to reproduce
before being caught, thereby keeping the
population stable.
However, fshing at these sanctuaries is
generally not prohibited by law; fshing is
merely discouraged at these sanctuaries. Even
in places where sanctuary fshing is prohibited,
the laws can sometimes be ignored without fear
of punishment.

Te draw to fshing in these areas is that they
are densely populated with fsh; however, this
means that most of the fsh being caught are
adolescents. Tis also means that many of
them do not have the opportunity to reproduce
before being caught, causing the population to
be thrown into free-fall.

Swif, strict prosecution of fshing in those
protected sanctuaries is a quick solution,
followed by legislation to restrict fshing in
other protected sanctuaries. Palau and the
island nations of Micronesia are enforcing this
currently. Tese measures will slow the fshing
of protected bluefn tuna while also driving the
prices of tuna higher, which will in turn drive
demand down, solving that issue as well.
Another quick, easy solution is to open bluefn
farms. Tis is not an adequate replacement
for fshing, as the amount of space required
to farm bluefn at the same rate they are eaten
would be far too much to be realistic; however,
bluefn farming is an adequate supplement to
the supply of edible bluefn, while also reducing
strain on the wild bluefn population.

Regulations arent regulated Solution
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Alaska Fish Co. Interview
Tis interview was conducted by Brett Evans.
He interviewed Harry Inacio, of the Alaska Fish
Co. He asked Inacio, What is your attitude
towards overfshing? Tis was his response.
Well, my business depends on fsh, so obviously
overfshing is a conficting issue for me. On
one hand, I dont want to be limited in fshing,
because that eats into my profts. Additionally,
a rarity of fsh drives prices up, so I can make
more money. On the other hand, if we kill all
the fsh in the sea, where does that leave our
business?
I guess Id like to see demand and supply
roughly equal each other. Right now, in
Colorado, the demand for fresh-caught halibut
and salmon is high. But the supplies of these
healthy, strong fsh are also high. I guess I cant
say the same for Bluefn tuna, because I dont
really know how long the fsh population can
support the runaway demand for it. I dont
know if that makes a ton of sense; I dont really
know how the Bluefn market works since I
dont catch Bluefn.
Tis graph shows the average lifespan of various fsh and their ability to
reproduce and repopulate. Te smaller fsh tend to have a shorter lifespan
due to overfshing throughout the ocean. Even though these fsh can
produce a mass amount of ofspring at a high rate their, life expectancy is
rather short when compared to other fsh.
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Te Arctic covers eight countries, including
the United States. Within the Arctic region
of the United States, the remarkable waters of
the Bering Sea attract marine mammals, such
as gray whales, which travel great distances to
forage and raise their young. Almost half of the
fsh caught in the United States comes from this
sea. Its fsheries are vital to local communities,
whose livelihoods depend on fshing, and
millions of people worldwide. Across the
Bering Sea in Russia, the Kamchatka Peninsulas
river systems produce up to one-quarter of
all wild Pacifc salmon. Te salmon provide
nourishment to other wildlife, including the
Kamchatka brown bear.
Te Arctic, including the Beaufort and Chukchi
Seas, now faces an uncertain future due to
climate change, mining, shipping, oil and gas
development and overfshing in key areas.
Regional environmental threats include: Oil
and Gas development, Fisheries Management,
Mining, Climate Change, and Shipping Trafc.
Coastal East Africa encompasses a beautiful
tapestry of land and seafrom mountains
and grasslands to mangroves and fringing
coral reefs. Tis region includes parts of
Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique and the
western part of the Indian Ocean. People here
depend on the regions natural resources: clean
freshwater; healthy forests and mangroves; and
abundant fsh and wildlife. Elephants,
Te Coral Triangle is a marine area located
in the western Pacifc Ocean. It includes the
waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Solomon
Islands. Named for its staggering number of
corals (nearly 600 diferent species of reef-
building corals alone), the region nurtures six
of the worlds seven marine turtle species and
more than 2000 species of reef fsh. Te Coral
Triangle also supports large populations of
commercially important tuna, fueling a multi-
billion dollar global tuna industry.
Over 120 million people live in the Coral
Triangle and rely on its coral reefs for food,
income and protection from storms. Current
levels and methods of harvesting fsh and
other resources are not sustainable and place
this important marine area and its people in
jeopardy.
Regional environmental threats include:
Overfshing, Bycatch, Destructive Fishing, and
Climate Change
rhinos, lions, wild dogs and more iconic species
roam the landscape. Dugongs, whale sharks,
dolphins, whales and fve species of marine
turtles are ofen found along the coasts. Te
Western Indian Ocean waters support the
shrimp and tuna industries.
Tis region and its communities face issues
with uncertain resource management, illegal
activities, and high poverty rates.
Regional environmental threats include:
Overfshing, Bycatch, Illegal Fishing including
Unreported, Unregulated and Pirate Fishing,
Deforestation, Climate Change, Illegal Wildlife
Trade, and Human-Wildlife confict.
Te Gulf of California stretches over 900 miles
and supports an extraordinary diversity of
marine life, including many species of reef fsh,
sharks, whales, marine turtles, and the Vaquita,
the worlds smallest porpoise. Beautiful beaches
and colorful reefs as well as sport fshing of
billfshes and tuna attract many tourists every
year. Commercial species of shrimp, sardine
and giant squid are all found in the Gulf of
California, making it Mexicos most important
fsheries region.
Regional environmental threats include:
Overfshing, Bycatch, and Coastal Development
Te global decline in fsh catches, combined
with rising demand, is leading to a global
fsheries crisis that threatens the Gulf of
California ecosystem as well as nearly six
million people who depend on fsh for
sustenance and livelihoods. Te Gulf is the
source of nearly 75 percent of Mexicos total
annual fsh catch, but overfshing (both
industrial and artisanal) is now blamed for
dramatic declines in cetaceans, sharks, rays and
other fsh stocks.
Te accidental capture of marine animals
in fshing operations is a major threat to
endangered species such as marine turtles,
whales, vaquitas, as well as vulnerable species
such as sharks and dolphins. In the case of
the critically endangered vaquita, the entire
population will be lost if fshing practices are
not reformed.
Places Afected Places Afected
20 21
Solution
Overfshing is literally a worldwide problem,
particularly in the Pacifc Ocean. One solution
may be to create and increase designated no
fshing zones. Irresponsible fshing practices
have not only had the efect of depleting many
previously strong fsh populations, they have
also either led to the increase of other marine
species or to the total depletion of a marine
environment. Along the United States New
England coastline, the severe reductions of Cod
and Bluefn Tuna have resulted in the increase
of the lobster population. Tis may seem like an
okay trade, but scientists are seeing signs that
the entire region is slowly degrading.
One solution that has found great success in
Micronesian Island nations of the Pacifc is
that of rotating fshing zones. Long ago, when
these islands were ruled by the elders of their
communities, Village elders would rotate
fshing on reefs to allow the fsh to grow.
By the 1980s commercialized fshing and
tourism had damaged the reefs and fshing
areas. In 1994, in the village of Ngiwal, Palau,
the elders had had enough. Tey banned
fshing in a small area of reef that was partly
accessible on foot. Te village noticed how
the fsh became more plentiful there in a few
years. Te reef became locally famous, and
other villages started to do the same. In 2005,
President Tommy Remengesau Jr. of Palau
[issued] his so-called Micronesian Challenge: a
call to the Pacifc island region to set aside for
conservation 30 percent of coastal waters and
20 percent of land areas by 2020.
Author Boris Worm of Dalhousie University
in Nova Scotia said of the rapid spread of
marine protected areas in the Pacifc that
Tose bottom-up ones (community developed
programs) work a lot better than top-down
ones; they have better compliance and work
well long-term. Worm made the conclusion
that, Now that we are reaching a global limit,
people are asking how can we fx the problem,
and they are rediscovering that the old methods
really work. Its very signifcant. While illegal
fshing and related practices may still be an
issue, rotating open and closed fshing areas
will, not only reduce the burden on some areas
while increasing the production in others, it
will help keep the entire eco-system balanced
and healthy.
Each of these numbers represents a fshing zone. As was disucssed on the previous page, rotating through the
fshing zones can allow species of tuna to replenish their numbers and repopulate.
22 23
Appendix
I will be graduating from Brigham Young University - Idaho with a Bachelors Degree in Communication. I
hope to become a Public Relations Specialist for a Republican politician on a community level.
It is important to have balance and logic behind all arguments. Te only way to accurately persuade people
to value your point of view is by having all the facts and presenting them in an appropriate fashion.
I was one of three assigned writers for the research and analysis of the overfshing epidemic currently
causing a crash in the fsh population. My assignment was to provide the background information and a brief
history of the issue at hand.
Afer seeing numerous documentaries about overfshing and the lack of Bluefn tuna and other predatory
fsh in the Pacifc Ocean, my eyes have been opened. While documentaries make it sound like all fsh markets in
the world can feel the efects- I have seen a diferent view.
As a result of the increased cost of some fsh, there have been an increased number of fsheries created to
combat the decline in supply from the ocean. In addition to this the attitude of the public has changed. Initially
people were opposed to alternatives ofered, but with the cost infation, fshing quotas enforced etc. people are
warming up to the idea of other supplies of fsh.
While it is natural to want the best of the best, there always efects to every action. Te supply of fsh has
only gotten worse since the 1980s and it will continue to worsen unless actions are taken to address the crisis that
is overfshing. I like the idea of more fsheries being used to avoid use of the small populations of tuna, sharks,
swordfsh, cod and halibut still in existence.
Bridget Vallejo
Contact Information:
Email: lun11009@byui.edu
Phone: 208-419-9375
Appendix
I am a senior at Brigham Young University - Idaho gradutaing in July 2014 with a B.S. in Communication
emphasizing in Public Relations and a minor in graphic design.
I believe that it is important for everyone to understand persuasion. When you understand the core
principles you can successfully make or counter arguements. Persuasion is part of everyday life so to not
understand it is like choosing not understand life itself.
I was the editor and designer for this project. My duties were to edit each of the writers sections and then
compile all of the writing into a book that was presentable. Tis was a very difcult job because looking through
sets and sets of papers is tedious work.
Tis issue was selected because it is ofen overlooked by society. We ofen take what we have right now
for granted. We also picked this issue because it is a light and refreshing topic that would spark some interest and
hopefully inform people who knew nothing about overfshing issues.
While reading over all of the writing I learened a lot about how big of an issue this is. I began to wonder
why this does not receive much coverage from the media. I learend that not all issues have to be controversial or
divisive. Tis issue really does have relevance to everyone because it has the potential to afect more than just our
food supply: it can efect entire ecosystems and economies.
Devin Bush
Contact Information:
Email: bus11004@byui.edu
Phone: 510.304.9558
24 25
Appendix
I am at Senior Brigham Young University-Idaho in the online degree program. I will graduate in July of
2014 with my B.S. in University Studies with a minor in Communication.I am the Jack of all Trades type of guy; I
will do almost anything and like to learn a little about everything. My career aspirations include law enforcement;
disaster relief; and politics. I enjoy interacting with others, helping them to explore ideas, and work through
conficts. I have studied Communication and Persuasion because whether we are in small group settings; large
corporations; or on the worlds stages, good communication practices are important and learning to be a good
communicator is an invaluable skill.
While overfshing is not explored as much as other issues like gun control or abortion, it is a unique and
very important issue. Our team chose this topic for these reasons. We wanted something that is not covered that
ofen and is not divisive. Tis is a great topic to educate others on and give us an opportunity to research the issue,
develop both team and individual opinions, and then try to persuade others to consider the far reaching scope of
the issue and its ramifcations.
My primary task was to focus on the ramifcations of the topic. My secondary task was to identify or
develop one or more ideas or methods for correcting the issue. I contributed by pulling information from well-
known resources that have already compiled large volumes of work identifying the impact of overfshing in the
Pacifc.
While it has nearly become common knowledge that Tuna, whales, and some parts of the world are
overfshed, I was surprised to learn just how far reaching the issue really is. I originally agreed to this topic because
it seemed relatively easy and straightforward: the Bluefn Tuna are in danger of extinction. Tis topic extends far
beyond fshing and the world of marine life. Damage to critical areas even afects life on land. Since delving into
the project, my attitude has changed. I learned that Tuna are among the top predator fsh in the oceans and that
they help keep them balanced. I also learned that the various nations of the Micronesian Islands are leading the
world in the balance, conservation, and preservation of their marine populations and eco-systems. I feel like I have
only scratched at the surface of this issue and am interested in learning more.
Jeremy Meredith
Contact information:
Email: mer99001@byui.edu
jeremyrmeredith@gmail.com
Phone: (509) 460-1349
Appendix
I am a communication major at BYU-Idaho, emphasizing journalism. Given that so much of my
career will involve the written word, much of it on controversial or divisive topics, knowing how to accurately
and compellingly convey an opinion is vital. Hence, I take persuasion. Eventually I would like to work for an
automotive journalism outlet, using my opinions to evaluate and test new cars.
Te team selected this issue because it was a unique, uncommon issue that many of us hadnt considered
before. Having done research and looked into it more, I fnd that its something I really care about. Overfshing in
the Pacifc is a signifcant problem and its one thats largely preventable and manageable. Te group member who
frst suggested the issue was well-informed and she made this issue something that each of us could care about and
relate to.
We also selected this issue because it wasnt as hot as others; i.e., most people dont have as strong of an
opinion on it. We didnt want to be too divisive and instead wanted to educate a public on the issue and persuade
them to behave diferently because of it, rather than alienate half our audience with an opinion they may not hold.
With this issue, I contributed an interesting interview with a man who makes his living of of Pacifc and
freshwater fsh found in the western hemisphere, particularly Alaska and the Pacifc Northwest. I also contributed
by supplying eight unique professional articles and case studies on the issue.
In doing research for this project, I learned a great deal about the issue of overfshing. I was somewhat
aware of it, as Id attended a show at my hometown zoo that discussed sustainable seafood and what types of fsh
were good for the body and the environment; however, in doing research for this project, I noticed that there are
a great many kinds of fsh that are supposedly safe and sustainable that are still being overfshed or that lead to
collateral damage to marine life.
What was more troubling was how damaging reckless seafood fshing has done due to sheer negligence.
Tere is a huge seafood market in most countries, and yet, fshing practice is poorly regulated on local and
international levels. Certain fsheries are declared safe zones, meaning that fshermen should avoid them to
allow the fsh population the opportunity to grow and sustain itself. However, many of these safe zones are not
actually enforced, and in some of them, its merely a suggestion to avoid fshing there, not law.
Tis negligence is one that can be educated against. If the general public is informed on where their
seafood may be coming from, they can push for enforcing more sustainable fshing practice. Additionally, they
can substitute unsustainable seafood with other foods, like inland hatchery fsh, which will lower demand for the
ocean fsh, whose future is uncertain.
Brett Evans
Contact info
Email: Eva11009@byui.edu
Phone: 303-847-8502
26 27
Appendix
-Croswell, Alexis. 10 Alarming Facts About Overfshing | One Green Planet. One
Green Planet. One Green Planet, 22 Nov. 2013. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. <http://www.
onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/10-alarming-facts-about-overfshing/>.
-Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Underwater World: Pacifc Salmon. Government
of Canada, n.d. Web. 13 March 2014. <http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/
publications/uww-msm/articles/pacifcsalmon-saumonpacifque-eng.htm>.
-Harvey, Fiona. Overfshing causes Pacifc Bluefn tuna numbers to drop 96%.
Te Guardian. 9 Jan. 2013. Web. 14 March 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/
environment/2013/jan/09/overfshing-pacifc-bluefn-tuna>.
-Japan Admits to Overfshing Bluefn Tuna by 25 Percent. Taipei Times. N.p.,
03 Mar. 2006. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/
archives/2006/03/03/2003295497>.
-Overfshing. Greenpeace International. Greenpeace International, n.d. Web.
15 Mar. 2014. <http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/
overfshing/>.
-Pala, Christopher, In a Pacifc island village, a solution to overfshing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/17/world/asia/17iht-fsh.1.5316234.
html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
-Pew: Japan, China, US, Others Overfshing Pacifc Tuna. SeafoodSource.com.
N.p., 02 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.seafoodsource.com/en/news/
environment-sustainability/24909-pew-japan-china-us-more-overfshing-pacifc-
tuna>.
-Price of over-fshing: one tuna sells for 1m. 6 Jan. 2013. London: Te
Independent. Web. 14 March 2014. <http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-
and-drink/news/price-of-overfshing-one-tuna-sells-for-1m-8439857.html>.
-Stanford University News Service. Scientists urge world leaders to respond
cooperatively to Pacifc Ocean threats. Stanford, California: Stanford University,
12 May 2009. Web. 13 March 2014. <http://news.stanford.edu/pr/2009/pr-
pacifc-051309.html>.
-Treehugger.com. How Bad Is Overfshing & What Can We Do To Stop It? 16
Aug. 2010. Web. 14 March 2014. <http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/how-
bad-is-overfshing-what-can-we-do-to-stop-it.html>.
-World Wildlife Fund. Treats: Overfshing. N.d. Web. 13 March 2014. <https://
worldwildlife.org/threats/overfshing>.
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