Environmental Politics Ocean Governance Questions
Overfishing has significant impacts on marine ecosystems. It disrupts the balance of marine food chains and can lead to the depletion of certain fish species. This depletion can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, as it disrupts the natural predator-prey relationships and can result in the proliferation of certain species and the decline of others. Overfishing also damages habitats such as coral reefs and seafloors, as fishing gear can cause physical damage to these sensitive environments. Additionally, overfishing can lead to the collapse of fisheries, which not only affects the livelihoods of fishermen but also has economic and social consequences for coastal communities that rely on fishing as a primary source of income. Overall, overfishing poses a significant threat to the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems.