Fisheries

Fish supplies are being rapidly depleted due to overfishing, especially in the deep ocean outside of national jurisdiction. The EU has developed actions intended to confront and limit illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU); beyond these measures, two California scientists are advocating for a radical idea: close the high seas to fishing altogether.

Bloomberg Philanthropies recently announced its Vibrant Oceans Initiative, a $53 million, 5-year effort to boost fish populations in Brazil, the Philippines, and Chile, a reform which will revitalize 7% of the world’s fisheries.

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Peter Neill, host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. World Ocean Radio, a project of the World Ocean Observatory, is a weekly series of brief audio essays available for syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide. Contact us for more information.

Historically, fishing has been artisanal and regional, mostly individuals fishing from shore or small craft for regional consumption. Yet fishing, like agriculture, has been industrialized: larger vessels and incentivized expansion creating an increased capacity in contradiction to decreased supply. In this episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill will discuss the surprisingly small number of corporate conglomerates that control the fishing industry.

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