Seabirds and Overfishing

Overfishing is a serious problem that is affecting the fish populations and marine ecosystems around the world. Honestly many people don't think about fish as suffering from the effects of humans but they do. A group of animals that people do think about more often is birds. Birds, specifically seabirds, are greatly affected by overfishing. When I talk about seabirds I am talking about a wide variety of species including: terns, gulls, albatross, puffins, auks, pelicans, penguins just to name a few. Now lets talk about overfishing, its effects on seabirds, and what you can do to help seabirds, the fish, and ocean ecosystems.

Overfishing is the act of catching more fish in an area than the system of that area can take and thus degrades the habitat. It is a non-sustainable way to use the oceans. Overfishing happens throughout the oceans of the world. It most often happens near the coasts which are also usually the homes to seabirds. One species that is commonly overfished along the coasts of Central and South America is sardines. Sardines are a vital part of many birds' diets. When sardines and other fish are over-harvested in select areas, a dead spot is created in the oceans. This dead spot leads to a collapse of the fishery and the loss of species that fed off of that fishery. Currently there are also more fishing boats than is sustaiable. It is estimated that "fishing fleets are two or three times larger than needed to take present day catches of fish and other marine species and as what our oceans can sustainably support" All of these fishing boats may not be larger scale commercial vessels; they may be locals who fish on smaller boats and sell their fish at market. Many large fishing vessels take their catch to be processed and it is then turned into fish meal that can be put in a large array of products. Together fishing ships of all size add up and hurt seabird populations.

According to a study by the University of British Columbia bird populations have declined by 70 percent since the 1950s. The seabirds need the fish to survive and without the fish they cannot. one article puts forth the idea that if the fish population reaches one-third of its maximum level then the number of birds will decline very rapidly. without sufficient levels of fish to eat the these seabirds will not reproduce. If seabirds do not reproduce this can devastate their population. Many species will only lay one nest of eggs per year or even only a single egg per year, many species will not lay another if the firs is lost, and some species may not lay an egg every year. Those reasons are why it is so important for these birds to reproduce. Seabirds also get caught in nets and fishing lines from fishermen. The loss of seabirds can effect the whole ecosystem by losing a major predator due to the loss of a major prey item. Seabirds are also a great way to judge the health of the oceans, if seabird populations are doing poorly then so are the oceans.

This all may sound bleak but there is hope. Scientists suggest that if fishers were to fish more modestly and in larger areas then they can help deter the effects of overfishing. It is also suggested that fishers be more mindful of the ecosystem they are impacting and try to help it rather than harm it.  Nations and international governing bodies have also been setting aside areas of oceans for wildlife preserves. These preserves act as safe havens for fish populations where they can breed and then some can leave when that area is full and occupy other areas that are fished. There are also several steps that consumers like you can take. You first you should try to be informed and congratulations you have already completed part of that by reading this post and you can go further and read the articles I have hyperlinked as well as written below. You should also look at what you are eating and choose fish that have been captured in sustainable ways with low impacts on the ocean. A great way to do this is to check the Guide to Good Fish Guides. This is a great resource to find a guide in your country to what sustainable fish would be to purchase. For the United State the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch is a fantastic guide that I have used several times with great results. You can also help the seabirds by passing on the word to all your friends. Together we can help the penguins, seagulls, albatross, and pelicans.

http://wildlife.org/overfishing-climate-change-push-mexican-seabirds-north/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120228123852.htm

https://www.audubon.org/news/overfishing-starves-seabirds-heres-how-fish-responsibly

http://overfishing.org/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150709102850.htm