Evn/320 International Environmental Law

International Environmental Law

EVN/320

August 19, 2012

Introduction

Overfishing in the oceans is a growing concern and eventually could diminish the marine life in the oceans. Overfishing has an effect on the environment and an effect on humans. Conventional Law plays an important role in solving the overfishing crisis. The conventional law describes the responsibilities of nations to protects, and preserve the oceans in his or her territory and the global commons is a factor in overfishing because the ocean is an internationally shared space. Various solutions arise to control and eliminate overfishing, and several U.S. policies address the problem of overfishing.

Overfishing

Overfishing in the oceans is a concern of scientists around world. When fish are caught faster than the fish reproduce overfishing occurs. Overfishing consist of marine life and fish and is an increasing concern in the oceans. Individuals are overfishing because of a demand for fish, and because the newer techniques of fishing make overfishing easy (Overfishing, 2003). Overfishing causes many species of fish to become extinct, and for populations to become endangered. According to "Overfishing" (2003), “Between 1950 and 1994, the ocean fishing industry increased the total catch by 400%” (Para. 1). The percentages indicate that man is fishing faster than the fish in the ocean can reproduce.

During the process of overfishing the marine environment suffers. The natural marine ecosystem is interrupted causing a chain effect on species that depend on the oceans. According to Overfishing (2003), “Sea lions, fur seals, and otters, as well as many types of bird are examples of other species that have been placed at risk as a result of overfishing” (para. 3). When individuals remove the fish from the marine ecosystem a risk is introduced that could collapse the whole marine ecosystem (Overfishing, 2003).

Another major effect of overfishing is humans rely...