Overfishing

The water resource problem in the video is overfishing. Overfishing is a problem that occurs when fishermen catch fish at a rate faster than they can reproduce. I think overfishing originated when fishermen began using bigger and better fishing nets and techniques. Better fishing equipment resulted in overfishing, which is a major water resource problem. Depletion of the fish population is a problem that could be managed. Even though, it is difficult for the depleted stocks to return to sustainable levels, and other species dependent on the depleted stocks may become imbalanced, causing further problems, it is possible to recover (MarineBio.org, 1998-2008).

A management and sustainment plan I think would benefit both sides of the issue when it comes to overfishing is to educated people on the issue of overfishing, put a limit on the amount of fish fishermen can catch in a certain amount of time, restrict some areas of the ocean against fishing, and set rules that fishermen must follow when fishing. Overfishing is a major issue all over the world, not just in a few locations; therefore the first step in my sustainment plan would be to educate everyone about the depletion of fish due to overfishing. The next step in my plan would be to put a restriction on certain areas of the ocean where fish could reproduce and have time to grow. This area would give fish time to reproduce without fishermen taking them out of the ocean before they have the chance to multiply. The third step in my plan would be to limit the amount of fish fishermen could catch in a certain area and in a certain amount of time. Next, I would set rules that would stop fishermen from catching and discarding too many fish. Bycatch, fish and other species that are discarded by fishermen, is a major problem caused by overfishing (Overfishing-A Global Disaster, 2007).

There are many ways people all over the world could be educated about overfishing. I think the best way to educate people about overfishing is through e-mails, newspapers, and television. Most people in the world today are using computers and have Internet access; therefore I think this would be the best way to communicate with the public. The actions plans that I would take to educate people would require many steps. First, I would send e-mails, about overfishing and what could be done to help the problem; to all the people I know and I would ask them to send it to everyone they know. Next, I would also try to get articles put in the newspapers around the world discussing the issue. Then, I would try to get the issue talked about on the news, daily.

My action steps I would take to have a restriction put on areas of the ocean, to limit fish fishermen could catch in a certain area and in a certain amount of time, and to set rules that would stop fishermen from catching and discarding too many fish, would be to contact people that have the authority to have these things done and discuss my plans. There are many people that would have to be involved to have these things done.

Environmentalists and fishermen would view my