Pressure Still Growing On Global Fisheries - BBC

By Alex Kirby
BBC News Online environment correspondent

"Pressure on global fish stocks is bound to intensify as human numbers rise and wealth increases, a report says. It says the few marine wild fisheries which are not yet completely exploited will inevitably face growing pressure.

Global demand for fish has doubled in under 30 years, because of population growth in poor countries and a matching increase in demand for fish there.

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With fish farming (aquaculture) growing explosively, concerns about effluent pollution, the escape of farmed fish, land use and pressure on wild fish to make fishmeal will also increase, unless technology and policy development promote what the report calls 'sustainable intensification.'

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The report points to five major structural shifts, which it says are already under way: developing countries, especially in Asia, will dominate production systems trade between developing countries will become increasingly with the emergence there of urban middle classes; overfishing will remain 'a huge concern', and environmental demands will strengthen; new technology will be developed and will probably help to reduce the amount of fish used in aquaculture; without institutional change the fishing industry will not help to reduce poverty, and the future for small, traditional fishing commnities in poor countries will remain 'not bright.'"

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3156340.stm