Overfishing in the Mediterranean

By Sarah Daily

http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/44102     

    

          For centuries now the Mediterranean Sea has played a major role in trade and commerce throughout the world. However because of this constant exploitation, the resources and ecosystems in the sea have been wiped out. An international study was conducted involving hundreds of dives throughout the Mediterranean over a span of three years. Researchers found that the ecosystems in well-enforced marine reserves were the healthiest. Once this was discovered, the scientists studied the vegetation and animal life in ecosystems of heavy protection and no protection. They found that the fish and animals were able to recover quicker than the plants and vegetation. A head scientist of this international study, Enrich Sala, stated "the protections of the marine ecosystems is a necessity as well as a business in which everyone wins." Calling this system a "business" is directly related to the possible income of potential marine reserves as well as the creation of jobs and tourism revenue. He announced that in Spain's Medes Marine Reserve, which is contained to one square kilometer, that a revenue of 10 million euros is generated. This number is twenty times the amount that would be generated through fishing. 

           Overfishing throughout all of the world has been detrimental to ecosystems for centuries. Although there are still cases, the restrictions being placed on fishing is saving the marine life. If one animal becomes extinct in an ecosystem, the entire marine life in that ecosystem is effected. Because of this, the overfishing needs to be put to an end. Of course, this takes a world wide initiative, which could be incredibly difficult. This article makes an intriguing point to those who think that by fishing these oceans, the Mediterranean in particular, they are gaining as much revenue as possible. However the lead scientist in this experiment showed how that is not the case, where there is more possibility for income by maintaining the marine reserves.       

Gabel, David. "Overfishing the Mediterranean." Environmental News Network. PLoS One; 8  Mar. 2012; Web; 18 Mar. 2012.