Human causes and social effects of overfishing

Thousands of fishermen? Northwest Africa, along with their families, lose their jobs due to industrial fishing pressure, used by European countries, fishing craft, a tradition of many generations.

The aggression on the seas, which began more than two decades, has forced thousands of fishermen from Northern countries to migrate to the waters of the South. Today the fishermen in Mexico, India, Senegal and Guinea Conakry who migrate north in search of other work for a living because of their fishing grounds are exploited by other countries or because they no longer overstretched.

Industrialized countries have moved to the South fishing capacity because weak states have found there at the time of setting standards to protect its marine ecosystem and the economies of scale fishermen.

More than half the world's population is urban, according to the UN, explains not only the abandonment of rural farming areas, but the coastal areas of several countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Also gives clues about the relationship between what is produced in one place and consumed in another. The welfare of humanity depends on the health of the planet, made up of water by 70%.

"The integration of environmental and development measures will lead to the satisfaction of basic needs, improved quality of life for all in ecosystems protected and better managed and more secure future and more prosperous. No nation can achieve alone?, Says the preamble of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of the UN.

In regard to the seas, this includes awareness by governments so far have allowed or not have had the strength to stop illegal fishing. But it also states that allow fishing and the sale of this fish, as is the case in many European Union countries.

An aware and committed civil society should collaborate on consumer awareness, such as his take on the responsibility to adjust their consumption pattern to nature than to the whims of advertising. This would force supermarkets to waste less fish. If you decrease the demand, easing somewhat the status of marine ecosystems and pave the way for fishing practices rooted in nature.

Through the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 1995, FAO has tried to protect artisanal fishing, which is 25% of total world fisheries, which contributes more than half the human consumption of fish around the world which employs 90% of fishermen worldwide, according to recent United Nations Program for Environment (UNEP). Furthermore, for every fisherman is generated between one and three additional jobs.

For its part, the UN has tried to protect marine ecosystems through excessive fishing Fish Stocks Agreement. But many efforts to make international organizations, the role of States is essential in matters relating to the protection of the environment and vulnerable populations. States will need to endorse the international agencies, while local governments apply the law

This approach might not only prevent overfishing of large foreign vessels, but also a disorderly fishing mismanaged can lead to depletion of marine resources. The companies that are allowing themselves assaulted by altering ecosystems and leave the barren seas so that more products will be collected.

Carlos Miguélez

Journalist

ccs@solidarios.org.es