Read other letters about this article

• Monday, October 22, 2007 06:20 PM

  Fish As A Food Source

  Re: some earlier comments relating to the commerical extinction of fisheries such as the Pacific sardine-

  I think it's important to note that the decline in many fish stocks across the planet is not entirely due to overfishing. That's undeniably an important factor in many cases, but habitat loss and pollution often play roles that are at least as significant in species declines, and they're not to be dismissed or underestimated as a factor.

  I also think that it needs to be noted that not all forms of commercial fishing are equal in terms of their energy consumption, or in terms of having a deleterious impact on ecosystems. Determining and enforcing commercial fishing regulations and prohibitions in order to maintain sustainable fish populations is imperative. But it's a task that becomes much easier when the aquatic ecosystems themselves are unburdened of toxic pollution, nutrient algae blooms, huge volumes of plastic debris, nonbiodegradable nets and longlines, ailing estuaries and littoral zones, and degraded or inaccesible spawning grounds for fish and shellfish populations.

  I'm not sure what percentage of human food and protein demandthat fisheries can supply on a global basis. But I have no doubt that they should properly have the potential to play an increasing role, not a diminishing one- once humans begin to respect and nurture aquatic ecosystems again, instead of continually abusing them in the nihilistic pursuit of wastrel economics and heedless waste disposal.

  —cabdriver Read cabdriver's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel