Over-exploitation of Ocean’s Resources

Depletion of Fish Stocks

Of the straddling stocks for which the state of exploitation is known, nearly two-thirds of the stocks (64 per cent) are classified as over-exploited, depleted or recovering, 23 per cent are fully exploited, 12 per cent are moderately exploited.

Straddling stocks are stocks of fish which migrate between the economic exclusive zone of one or more regions and the high seas. These are highly migratory fish stocks.

80% of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited or over-exploited. ¹

Of the tuna and tuna-like stocks 30% of the stocks are classified as over-exploited or depleted, 53% are fully exploited and 18% are moderately exploited.

An important contribution of livestock’s over-exploitation of the earth’s resources consists in the production of fish-meal for livestock feed. 7 of the 10 most fished species, accounting for 30% of the world total marine capture fisheries production, are either fully exploited or over-exploited which is not sustainable.

The most 10 fished species are Peruvian anchoveta, Alaska pollack, skipjack tuna, Atlantic herring, blue whiting, chub mackerel, Chilean jack mackerel, Japanese anchovy, large head hairtail and yellowfin tuna.

In 2006, 36% of the total world fisheries catch was destined for non-food use. It was used for fish meal and fish oil for animal foods. ²

These small pelagic (open ocean), low-value fish form the bulk of fisheries catch destined for non-food uses with the aquaculture sector being the largest consumer utilising 26% of the total catch. These are often taken as a by-catch of fishing operations and varies depending upon location and season. Most of these small pelagic fish (73%) are anchovies, sardines, herrings, pilchards and related fish. Several species are either fully-exploited or over-exploited. ³

Fishing Subsidies

Fishing subsidies greatly distort the fisheries market. In 2009, ⁴

Harmful subsidies constituted US$20 billion consisting of fuel subsidies, management, port and harbour tax relief and equipment modernisation. So US$20 billion each year are subsidising an industry to catch more fish that are over-exploited.

Global fisheries subsidies were estimated to be US$35 billion. The total revenue from the industry is US$90 billion.

In 2018, substantial subsidies are being paid to increase the catch of a dwindling resource that is under severe threat.

Small pelagic forage fish that represent 73% of total pelagic fish landings in 2006 and includes anchovies, herring, pilchards, sardinellas, sprat, sardines, menhaden, shad, ilisha and dagaas. Other major forage fish include tuna, bonito and mackerel (14% total forage fish landings in 2006). This group includes chub mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, Indian mackerels nei, short mackerel, Indian mackerel, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel Chilean jack mackerel, Japanese jack mackerel, Atlantic horse mackerel, Trachinoidei, Pacific sandlance and sandeels nei, Pacific saury and Atlantic saury). Other by fish that are caught include salmons and capelins.

Fish Consumption is not Healthy

Fish consumption is not healthy despite the fact that many health authorities including the Harvard researchers Eric Rimm and Walter Willett recommend eating fish twice a week.

Seventh-day Adventists studies show that any increase in fish consumption increases the risk of “Diseases of Affluence”. ⁵

Consumption of fish increases the risk of consuming mercury, cyanobacteria (inappropriately named blue-green algae) and micro-plastics which are prevalent in oceanic environments.

Forever chemicals are Per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) that are synthetic organofluorines which are found in both oceanic and inland waterways.

PFAS don’t readily degrade in water. The chemicals remain intact for very long periods of time. PFAS have been found around the world including remote areas such as the Arctic, Andes, Rocky Mountains and the Himalayas. In marine environments they are found in the milk of dolphins, whales and seals.

PFAS are very prevalent in the milk of mammals including humans where they pose a significant health risk.

Last updated on Saturday 23 August 2025 at 06:43 by administrators

1. United Nations. (2010, May). General facts regarding world fisheries.
2. Tacon, A. G. J. & Metian, M. (2009) Fishing for Aquaculture: Non-Food Use of Small Pelagic Forage Fish—A Global Perspective. Reviews in Fisheries Science. 17 (3), 305–317.
3. Tacon, A. G. J. & Metian, M. (2009) Fishing for Aquaculture: Non-Food Use of Small Pelagic Forage Fish—A Global Perspective. Reviews in Fisheries Science. 17 (3), 305–317.
4. Sumaila, U. R. et al. (2016) Global fisheries subsidies: An updated estimate. Marine Policy. 69189–193.
5. Fraser, G. E. & Shavlik, D. J. (2001) Ten Years of Life – Is It a Matter of Choice? Archives of Internal Medicine. 161 (13), 1645–1652.