Lots To Learn About Sustainable Fishing
I was lucky enough to have caught this terrific NPR segment on sustainable fishing during a drive today. Of course, there are macro issues like over-fishing and warming waters due to climate change, the latter of which makes it hard for roe to develop. What amazed me, however, was how virtually every aspect of the industry from sleeker ships to better nets and lines, to processing fish with high-speed water jets, to heating plants with geothermal energy has all been totally thought-through, and continues to improve with every passing year.
Perhaps more remarkable of all is the fact that international governments and the fishing industry work together, transparently, to decide how many of what species to take out of what waters. According to the program, there is very little cheating, at least on the part of the big players, if only because exceeding limits this year makes for tougher fishing in years to come. Impressive stuff.
Craig,
Honestly, where do you get this sort of misinformation?
While it is true that the Icelandic fishing industry has improved management practices over the four last years, this has only been as a response to reduced catches and declining stocks over the past three decades.
Introduction of a new ITQ system has seen the industry reduce employment, close factories and scrap almost 60% of the fleet.
Specialization and focus toward high-value markets has made the industry more profitable and sustainable.
Elsewhere in the world, massive fishing fleets from Asia, Europe, Russia and the Middle East, regularly ravage the world ocean fishing stocks.
“Cheating” is commonplace and institutionalized! Small, developing nations can do little against the rapacious appetite for dwindling supplies of seafood.