Commercial fish stocks
Bycatch
Significant bycatch can deplete populations of vulnerable species and undermine the productivity
of fish stocks. With proper management tools in place, and the full participation of the commercial
fishing industry, bycatch should be minimal; the protection of aquatic and marine ecosystems, and
thus the long-term interests of both small and large-scale fisheries, should be insured.
Over-exploitation by a growing fishing industry
The overwhelming growth in the global commercial fishing industry has, just in the last few decades,
led to the severe over-exploitation of oceans. The UN Food and agriculture Organisation estimates
7.3 million tonnes of bycatch are discarded annually by the world’s fisheries. This is largely due
to expanding fishing fleets and the development of larger, faster, mechanised vessels and gear
which are less selective than smaller-scale, traditional craft and fishing methods. In Orissa,
there is little implementation of the marine laws (OMFR Rules) which restrict large vessels to
operate only beyond a 5 kilometre boundary.
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