Global Overfishing Pushes One-Third of Fish Stocks Toward Collapse, India Not Spared

Over one-third of world’s fish stocks are being depleted at a pace faster than they can naturally grow back, leading to drop in populations. This trend has been getting worse in recent years and if not controlled, it can seriously harm marine life and the people who depend on fishing for food and jobs, according to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

FAO found that 35.5% of marine stocks are subject to overfishing, based on the most recent catch data, which uses an improved methodology to assess stocks in 2021.

“The proportion of overfished stocks continues to increase at a rate of approximately 1% per year in recent times, which is a significant concern,” the study’s authors wrote, reported Bloomberg. “This underscores the urgent need to strengthen effective management across all fisheries.”

Described as the “most comprehensive, evidence-based, and community-built assessment” of the status of global fish stocks, the report underscored the impact of unsustainable human activity at sea, putting species such as sharks and rays at risk.

The 500-page document containing the findings was unveiled on June 11 at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France, according to Bloomberg. The UN oceans summit, which ends on June 13, also addresses how rising sea levels further threaten biodiversity.

Improved marine management systems and data are helping make fishing more sustainable in some places. Areas with strong systems, such as the Northeast Pacific and the Southwest Pacific had sustainability rates of 92.7% and 85.5%, respectively, FAO found. In contrast, only 35.1% of fishing done in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea can be considered sustainable, according to the report.

India’s Fisheries at Risk

Another 2022 FAO report underscored that globally about 600 million people depend — at least partially — on fisheries and aquaculture, for their livelihoods.

In India, climate-driven storms, coastal erosion and market volatility threaten the country’s nearly 8,000 km (recalculated to 11,098 km recently) coastline and its 3,000 plus fishing villages, reported The Hindu .

If overexploitation goes unchecked, it will deepen poverty, erode marine biodiversity and forfeit sustainable yields that could feed millions. However, implementing harmonised regulations, community-led stewardship, science-based quotas and a policy shift could ensure long-term sustainability.