Recource Management Project

Humans have used the ocean as a valuable resource for thousands of years. Within the past 100, world population has steadily increased and with it so has the demand. During this time, the methods and technology have become more effective and have captured more and more sea life. Currently, massive demands coupled with powerfull technology have led the oceans ecosystem into an exponential decline. Examples of this constant decline are either solely the fault of overfishing, or are a combination of overfishing and global weather changes. For example, a raking of the ocean with large fishing nets destroys coral reefs. Although the use of these nets is not a year around activity, corals slow rate of re-growth leaves them constantly declining. This displaces a multitude of species and only adds to the decline of the ecosystem. Large fishing companies in Mexico also harvest too many species before they breed farther north. Once the same group of fish reaches more Northern waters, it is significantly reduced. The cycle continues leaving less and less fish. Global warming also changes fish migration moving what’s left of the displaced ecosystem to others and therefore disrupting more than just the affected areas.
Many companies within the United States use fish farms versus traditional fishing. Off the coast of Hawaii companies create large nets in deep water
to simulate the natural environment of many popular fish. They are able to raise fish purely for the purpose of food and therefore the environment is not affected. Besides being more cost effective, the fish farms also allow companies to raise the largest fish. This method would help re-populate the ocean with species that are in a rapid decline, such as tuna. Although the initial cost would be high, a switch to farms versus fishing would be better for revenue. Many companies have gone under simply because there is no more catch left to fish. This problem will only become more common if fishing styles such as net fishing are still employed.