What can I do about overfishing the oceans? The demand for fish and other marine animals is extremely high. In addition to the high catch volumes, destructive fishing methods are also necessary to meet demand at all times. Fishing methods that destroy the seabed and kill hundreds of thousands of other animals as bycatch every year. This means that Overfishing the oceans one of the largest Environmental problems of our time originated.
A body of water is generally considered to be overfished if more fish are taken than can migrate or reproduce naturally. Almost 30 percent of all global fish stocks are currently considered to be overfished. Around 30 percent are also fished to the maximum and cannot cope with any further "extraction".₁
In this article, I would like to show you what you can do to stop overfishing and stop supporting it personally. Let's go!
Here is a brief overview of the tips from this article:
- Prefer certified fish
- Do not eat endangered fish species
- Do without fish from aquacultures
- Take omega-3 from plant sources
- Do not consume marine animals
- Avoid plastic and do CleanUps
- Start and sign petitions
- Climate friendly living
- Support organizations
- Share knowledge
10 tips - What to do about overfishing?
Every year, around 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises as well as thousands of sharks, seabirds and turtles die as accidental by-catch An evil that arises solely from our personal demand for fish. There is no way around the fact that we need to change our eating habits. So here are the promised short and snappy Tips against overfishingthat you can put directly into practice.
1. eat MSC certified fish
As with many other seals, the MSC seal is of course also No absolute guarantee for sustainable fishing. However, fish whose packaging bears an MSC seal is at least more likely to be more sustainable for the global stocks of the species in question. So look out for this when you buy fish in the future.
2. do not buy endangered fish species
Species such as the eel, the spiny dogfish or the red tuna are threatened with extinction, among other things, because we prefer to eat them. Other fish, however, are less threatened in your existence, which is why the look in the WWF Fish Guide is always worthwhile. Here are a few examples of fish that still fit into a reasonably sustainable shopping basket:
These species of fish are more recommended:
- Trout (Germany, Finland, Denmark)
- Carp
- Zander (Germany, Netherlands, Denmark)
- Hake (Northeast Pacific)
3. refrain from fish from aquacultures
In general, it is often claimed that fish from aquacultures is species extinction counteracts. But in aquaculture Fish meal from wild catch used to make the fish gain weight. Crazy - and not without consequences for wild stocks. So the opposite is the case. In the end, aquacultures are just a Factory farming with insecticide use and great danger for our planet, all marine animals and also our own health.
4. be aware that omega-3 is not only found in fish
We catch, slaughter and eat fish because we have always done it this way. And because the industry has convinced us that they are full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and essential proteins. From Antibiotics- or Pesticide residues, as well as the agonizing death by suffocation of the animals in ice or live cooling, is reluctantly talked about so that customers do not lose their appetite. Fortunately, there are also plenty of plant-based alternatives that contain these important nutrients.
Here are some examples of foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids:
- Linseed oil
- Hemp oil
- Walnut oil
- Rapeseed oil
- Chia seeds
- Chlorelle algae
Tip: For Vegetable protein sources you can get inspired in the linked post.
5. refrain from eating marine animals
Are you a fish lover? Do you like them more for eating or because you love animals? If the latter is the case, then you should avoid eating seafood altogether to stop overfishing.
There are also delicious, plant-based alternatives to fish sticks - and even vegan shrimps! Such ready-made products definitely make it easier for you to give up fish. Of course, you can also get the essential nutrients from other plant-based foods.
Take a look at the article about the Start into vegan life an.
Tip: Whether dolphin, tuna, crab or turtle caught in a net. What they all have in common is that they emotional creatures are animals that feel emotions such as fear or joy. They also have this in common with us humans. With this awareness you will have no difficulty in not eating fish anymore. This is also the most effective means that each and every one of us can use to combat overfishing.
6. avoid plastic waste and clean up beaches
Since every year up to 135,000 marine mammals at our Plastic waste in the environment it is not surprising that the most efficient way of plastic free lifestyle and self-organized Beach CleanUps are an effective means of stopping overfishing. Plastic waste is so deadly because it remains in nature for many centuries until it has decomposed into smaller microplastics.
Consciously try to make less waste and also simply clean up littered beaches while on vacation to start.
Tip: in the article Microplastics in the sea for more valuable tips on the subject.
7. start or support petitions
Does it bother you that whales are kept in captivity or that trawling is still allowed? Then support or start an online petition against such grievances and get other people involved. To bring about positive change in our society, we always need people to lead the way. Nobody would claim that they think overfishing the oceans is great. Accordingly, there is great potential to reach as many people as possible and convince them to sign your petition.
8. live climate friendly
The climate change is a key driver of species extinction. In addition to consciously avoiding waste, you have Hundreds of ways to stop him in your everyday life. Don't just avoid fish, but also meat in general, enjoy vacation destinations by train in Europe instead of by plane all over the world - and consume regional food instead of flying fruit. Step by step, you will then live in a more climate-friendly way.
Here are some further articles that can help you:
9. supported organizations
We can live more sustainablyto stop overfishing. However, supporting organizations that actively work every day to protect the oceans and all its inhabitants is also extremely effective.
These projects are particularly worthy of supportif you want to counteract overfishing:
You can help them either financially with a donation or with active support on site. The latter can, for example, be a Clean-up campaign on the beaches or even a Awareness campaign be in the pedestrian zone.
Tip: In the linked article I have also given you a Overview of recommended animal welfare organizations compiled.
10. share your knowledge with others
Make yourself aware that you can can also change the world positively as an individual. What will change if you only complain about others but don't do any better yourself? If you want to stop overfishing, you should become a role model yourself - for your friends, for your parents and for your own children. Raise the issue when you can, but don't force anything on anyone. Instead, talk about what motivates you to stop endangering marine life through your personal everyday behavior.
Rather ask the right questions and listen to the answersinstead of directly with Facts and figures about overfishing in the oceans around you. Here are some examples of good questions that you can ask those around you, but of course also yourself, to initiate questioning or good conversations:
- Why do you eat fish?
- Do you believe that fish have feelings?
- Are you against cruelty to animals? Then why do you eat fish?
Tip: It is best not to use the facts and figures from the linked article until your counterpart is open to questioning their fish consumption.
Stopping overfishing by reducing fish consumption
How can we stop overfishing? By eating less fish and other marine animals, of course. Because each of us is crucial to the level of demand for these products, positive change starts with each and every one of us. Try to reduce your fish consumption or stop it altogether. Be aware that hundreds of thousands of animals end up as bycatch - and that all animals caught according to plan must also suffer. In addition, industrial fishing poses an extreme threat to our planet and ultimately to our own health.
I hope that this article has given you some tips in the fight against overfishing of the oceans. If you have any questions or suggestions, just leave me a comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS.: Feel free to look further in the animal welfare blog around. There you will get, for example, more tips on how to Help animals in your everyday life.
References:
₁ H. Vesper; WWF Germany: What we need to do to save the oceans (17.04.2018), available at https://t1p.de/oori. [26.10.2020].
₂ WWF Germany: Unwanted bycatch (as of 17.09.2018), available at https://t1p.de/9opg. [26.10.2020].
₃ NABU - Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V.: Plastic waste and its consequences, available at https://t1p.de/tykc. [20.10.2020].
