Environmental Case Analysis Essay

The case tells about the current crisis in the New England fisheries, which recorded the devastation in the ocean ecosystem due to overfishing in that part of the globe. The discovery of the George Bank or â€Å"St. George’s Shoal† in the northern pole between the Newfoundland and Labrador in 1821 paved the opportunity for the fishing industry by the Gloucester’s fleet since then (p. 42) until groups of fishermen exploited the area in 1950 from different countries such as the Russians, Germans, Poles, and Spanish (p. 44). It is said that the modern vessels using modern facilities in fishing used by the latter fishermen had triggered the extinction of the many kinds of fishes in the sea. Today, it is documented that rich stock of living organisms that includes the marine food web have decreased in a very alarming level. The twentieth century fishing left the marine resources at stake with a report of sixteen percent decrease per year, with a total loss of about ninety percent of â€Å"predatory fishes† (p. 37). The George Bank, which was previously overpopulated with living organisms, had damaged considerably enough to call the attention of the authorities as well as the stakeholders to act upon the tragic loss. It is recorded that the Gloucester’s fleet and smaller craft in 1859 had brought in â€Å"60,000 barrels of mackerel, 11,400,000 pounds of codfish, and 4,590,000 pounds of halibut,† and few million of other species (p. 42). Since 1970’s, the decline began spontaneously; with record of about â€Å"4. 4 million tons of fish† in 1973 to â€Å"2. 6 millions of tons in 1992† is an indication that ecosystem in the bank is getting impoverished. Variety of fishes may face extinction which range from predators or species of higher tropic level such as tuna and halibut to species of lower tropic level such plankton-eaters such as anchovies and cod. The worst is, since the main predators as well as the codfish and haddock are facing annihilation, the dogfish and skate may dominate George Bank, and that will cause â€Å"ecological shift† (p. 46). Because of this, the market has changed its demand for dogfish and skate (ibid). Thus, many concerned individual and groups take into account the crisis and proposed recommendation to revive the sea. For instance, the East Coast Fisheries Federation executive director James O’Malley suggested the â€Å"50% effort reduction† to replenish the stock of fish in the bank (p. 48). This problem concerns the many stakeholders particularly the people who are dependent on fish for food such as in the case of people of Europe and America. Likewise, if the fifty reduction or other proposals such as the â€Å"buyout† scheme or fish farming may also harm the fishermen for their bread and butter is fishing. This will also harm the fishing industry. There will be constant battle between the opposing interests of government and business groups, which includes global fisheries, for both attend to their own interests. No matter what, if the problem will not be settled, worst scenario may come about – damage in the ocean ecosystem and extinction of fishes which is vital to human survival. Relationship to Science and Ethics The sustainability of the â€Å"marine food web† lies greatly on reducing fishing capacity until such time that oceans reach appropriate level. In connection, when fishing activity is reduced, the serial depletions or collapse of species will gradually reduce and thus improves the condition in the ecosystem. This will provide sufficiency for all the people who need sea foods for survival. In this endeavor, people are to work hard hand in hand to increase the sustainability of oceans in providing food that people need. Without reducing in fishing will affect the ecosystems of the fishes and other living organisms in the water because those involve in the marine food web are important and interconnected in the chain. For instance, the predators though serve a negative impact on their prey yet, provide help in the preservation of the prey in such a way that they also consume â€Å"other predators and competitors† so the prey will abound and will become â€Å"available for humans† (Pauly, Christensen, Guenette, Pitcher, Sumaila, Watson, & Zeller). Thus, their extinction may lead to worst condition to prey. In addition, according to Pauly, et. al. , there will be reduction in the â€Å"number and length of pathways linking food fishes to the primary producers† that results to fluctuations in the population of the prey. Thus, the issue of overexploitation done by people to the marine life is a threat to human consumption that without appropriate and immediate action, people will greatly suffer. The ethics that must be seen in this case is the interest that governs every action. Whose interest should prevail – the interest of majority or the interest of few for money? Either of the interest will determine the action that will be made. What persuades us the value of preserving the New England fisheries? The above alarming scenario in the marine life is enough to consider steps towards reducing fishing around the area. Stakeholders must cooperate with each other towards the preservation of the remaining life in the ocean for the benefit of many more people. Above many reasons, the preservation of marine life through fishing reduction will ensure the future of the food supply. Definitely, if fishing continues, none will be left for humans for there will be no chance for these species to survive. The demand for immediate action is great that international cooperation is deemed important. The process may take several years before full the recovery, yet the impact is lasting – for men’s survival. Preservation of New England Aquatic ecosystem is another reason for this. Even politicians and government leaders and even ordinary fishermen have taken for granted the ill effect of overfishing because they all thought that â€Å"ocean will yield what we need† (Pauly, et. al). People never realize that as human population increases, the water resources decrease to supply the demand for food. Thus, the preservation of ecosystem could sustain the healthy economy of the country because biological resources are sufficient to supply ecological needs. How does it happen that it is in no one’s interest to preserve the fisheries but it is everyone’s interest to preserve the fishery? At this point in time, though there are studies conducted on the serious problem with aquatic life, people often neglect their responsibility because they have a negative attitude about the problem. The fishermen understand the problem but they resist doing positive action, rather, they are â€Å"against limits, against collectivization and consolidation, against being regulated, reformed, and brought in line with the common good for the long run† (p. 52). This particular problem will lead to total collapse of the ocean ecosystem that affects every individual. Well, preservation of fishery is everyone’s business. This must be understood by every stakeholder especially the fishermen. The efforts by the civic groups and the government must also direct to these individual by reeducating them of the true intention of the action. Reference Pauly, D. , Christensen, V. , Guenette, S. , Pitcher, T. , Sumaila, R. , Watson, W. , & Zeller, D. (2002). Towards sustainability in world fisheries. Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science, 418 (689-695). http://www. nature. com/nature/journal/v418/n6898/full/nature01017. html Skunked. Crisis in the New England Fisheries (file attachment)