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The plans in this section address the struggling fishermen who descend from a line of fishermen, the vessel operators and meat processors, cities and towns that rely heavily on profits from fishing, the islands that have few alternatives, and entire nations whose cultures are heavily integrated with the fishing industry.
Fishermen: Livelihood
There are four options for fishermen:
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Our proposed tax scheme relies heavily on collecting accurate and comprehensive data about the ecological systems of the ocean. Many researchers will be needed to collect the data necessary for setting the tax level in each region and for each population. Fishermen, with their experience and knowledge of the sea, could be given the chance to apply theor their knowledge towards research and data collection.
A precedent for onboard observation of vessels already exists. In sections 201 and 403 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the United States requires that craft must have onboard observers for fishing expeditions within its exclusive economic zone. These observers are federal employees, with formal training in "collecting and analyzing the information necessary for the conservation and management (of fisheries)," "science and statistical analysis," and "basic vessel safety" (NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, 2007).
The EU also suggests onboard observers, but currently these observers are not mandatory and are paid for by the fishermen themselves and not by the government, creating a conflict of interest. We propose creating programs, in states most effected by this unemployment issue (not on an international scale, however, because not all countries will be affected equally by the fallout of fishery unemployment), that mandate onboard observers for fishing vessels. This program should be run through the national government so that no conflict of interest arises. In a report on the ACP-EU fisheries, the CTA and Commonwealth Secretariat suggested a perfect model for the program: "On board observer programmes should be compulsory (ensuring that no possibilities exist for circumvention). Observers should be paid through a public fund (to which EU ship owners should contribute); and not directly by the boat owner. Observers should be qualified to the same level of competence ("brevet"), ensuring the same level/quality of observership for all FPAs" (Gorez, 2003).
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Part of our solution calls for encouraging the transition to sustainable fisheries. Hence, we propose that the fishermen who choose to pursue more environmentally friendly fishing techniques should be the ones to qualify for government subsidies.
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We propose that the Days at Sea program be terminated and the fishery management rely strictly on the solutions detailed in other sections of this report, including quotas.
Island Nations and Implications
Advocating a reduction in fish consumption of fish will most immediately affect island states around the world. Many small island nations depend almost exclusively on fish for food and more importantlyspecifically, as a source of protein (Natural Resources Management and Environment Department, 1996). Therefore, measures should be taken to ease the transition of these island states from relying entirely on fish for protein and energy to subsisting subsistence on other sources of food.
One of the most immediate transitions would be from fish-based food production to more agriculturallyland-based food production. Island nations have generally been weak in terms of unable to embrace large-scale, traditional agriculture due to several issues: rampant urbanization, flourishing tourism, and a paucity of large-scale arable land. However, island states have proven to be successful at the cultivation of successfully cultivated crops such as tropical fruits, tubertubers/root cropsvegetables, nuts and spices, vegetables, and cut flowers (FAO, 1999). Moreover, organic farming may be introduced to these small island states and , since organic produce may potentially provide investment and revenue value for to these nations. The FAO should offer financial and technical assistance to sustain growth in these areas of development agriculture (FAO, 1999).
When the FAO offers assistance to these island nations, the revenue generated from the sale of locally produced agricultural products can be used to purchase from or exchange with other nations for protein alternatives such as soybeansacquire alternative sources of protein form other nations, reducing the demand of these island nations for a constant supply of fish to satisfy protein and energy needs. Furthermore, this exchange of food resources may also increase the diversity of the local diet, increasing improving the nutrition of the local population.
Japan: A Special Case
Japan is an especially tough country in which to implement our solutions for the following reasons:
- The Japanese have a culture deeply rooted in fish consumption, with a seafood per capita consumption of 70 kg per year (Kakuchi, 2003), . Also, there are many fishing villages whose traditional customs surround are intimately related to whaling and fish consumption (Associated Press, 2007).
- Japan, with a small land area, has already maximized its terrestrial food production, including a widespread aquaculture program totaling 1.5 million tons of biomass per year, or 30% of their total ingested biomass (Encyclopedia of Nations, 2007).
- Japan is extremely resistant to international methods pressure to reduce fishing . Very recently, Japan announced its intention flout the International Whaling Commission (IWC) ban and whaling: in 2006, the Sydney Morning Herald announced that Japan had hidden over US$2 billion worth of tuna, far exceeding their catch limits (Darby, 2006). Very recently, Japan announced its intention flout the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on whaling and plans to kill nearly 1000 + whales (Associated Press, 2007). It Japan is also is reported to deter interfere with attempts by ecological organizations to intervene with in its methods affairs (Enc007Enc 2007).
Japan has shown these tendencies and trends in the past:
- Japan is able to conscientiously and unilaterally proceed towards a national goal as exemplified by its quick modernization (Japan, 2007).
- Japan does not appear to be disregarding the value of maintaining its fisheries; it appears to be forming an independent opinion as to the state of its fisheries and disregarding all other estimates, especially in the case of the whaling ban. When the IWC imposed its ban on whaling, Japan initially disagreed; however, after further research, they decided to agree. Currently, they believe that certain whale species have returned to sustainable levels, and disregard levels where a sustainable harvest is possible. Hence, Japan disregards the IWC as being being too environmentally zealous (Enviornment News Service, 2007).
Therefore, we propose collaboration and mutual research between the UN and Japan to maintain Japan's fisheries; we hope to reach a commonly acceptable level of for sustainable fishing that does not contradicting contradict international studies. This research should be done as objectively as possible, and on a UN-regulated basis in order to expedite a common solution.
Cultural Implications
Any solution to overfishing must take into account the cultural implications that it will have to those cultures focused around fish. Perhaps more important however, is the fact that certain cultures are fueling the problem of overfishing.
The example of green sea urchin harvesting off East Petpeswick, Nova Scotia is very pertinent. The green sea urchins were considered "trash fish" by Canadian and U.S.American fishermen, and thus populations were allowed to live remain above sustainable fishing levels. However, the realization that urchin roe was a valuable Japanese delicacy instigated a frenzied race for urchins. In the early 1990s, it became apparent that urchin populations would become to soon be overfisheddepleted.
Thus, a key aspect in solving overfishing is recognizing the that culture elements that can often drive overfishing. These cultures Cultures must be forced educated to recognize the damage they are inflicting on the oceans and be informed about what they can do to limit this damage. A vital component to this is education. In Scotland, once the problem of overfishing was recognized, the Scottish White Fish Whitefish Producers' Assocation began looking into Association began the process if applying for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) accreditation, "a prestigious international charter mark," for their fishery of haddock and langoustines. As EU European Union Environment secretary Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "The MSC standard means consumers can buy fish with confidence - knowing that these stocks are being fished sustainably." (Kesich & Bell, 2007). This success story is an encouraging sign.
It is not only wealthy developed nations that will react have reacted to overfishing. We can look to the example of the Maldives to see a small island nation that realized the dire condition of its fish stock stocks and took responsive action. The Maldives is an archipelago of nearly 1200 coral islands where fisheries account for 11% of the GDP, 20% of employment, and 74% of the country's export commodities (FAO, 1999). The country's dependence on fisheries has led it to develop sustainable fisheries for various species including the giant clam. The government was quick to respond to potential overexploitation of the giant clam by banning its export, even though this action decreased profits for the people of the Maldives over the short term (FAO, 1999).
It is essential for us to clearly demonstrate the state of the global fisheries to countries and cultures that rely heavily on fish the state of the global fishery, a task which the educational component of our solution hopes to achieve. If we can encourage the management of these countries and cultures can be encouraged to take the initiative on sustainability issues, our solution will has the potential to be very effective.
Completed, correct citations
Darby, A. (12 August 2006). Revealed: how Japan caught and hid $2b worth of rare tuna. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2007, from: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/08/11/1154803102432.html
Enviornment News Service. (2007, November 20). Japan's whaling fleet sails despite international censure. International Daily Newswire. Retrieved November 22, 2007, from http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2007/2007-11-20-01.asp
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