Call to end deep sea fishing

Marine scientists from around the world are urging the authorities to end deep sea commercial fishing.

A US based marine conservation group said that deep sea commercial fishing has done lots of damage to fishing industry. The scientists are now recommending an end to most commercial fishing in the deep sea. Arguing that deep-sea fisheries are unsustainable, they are recommending limiting fishing to more productive waters closer to consumers.

According to a release from the Marine Conservation Biology Institute the deep sea is the world's worst place to catch fish. Marine ecologist Elliott Norse, the study's lead author, is of opinion that deep-sea fishes are especially vulnerable because they can't repopulate quickly after being overfished."

It is fact that deep sea operations are now account for less than 1 percent globally, especially bottom trawling, causes profound, lasting damage to fishes and life on the seafloor. Norse said that instead of overfishing the Earth's biggest but most vulnerable ecosystem, nations should recover fish populations and fish in more productive coastal waters. He also urged the rebuilding of fish populations in waters closer to ports and markets, places he said are far more conducive to sustainable fisheries.

Source: upi.com"

WorldFishingToday d. 08-09-2011