One of the most difficult balances for those engaged in conservation work to maintain is the needs of people in reference to the needs of our planet, namely in the form of the other species which inhabit the ecosystems of concern. When considering the overuse of so-called “natural resources,” it may be instinctual to suggest that all interactions between humans and coral reefs be prevented, besides those who are actively working to conserve these species. However, this fails to take into consideration just how many people rely on their access to fishing resources, and how coral reefs play a massive role in creating these resources.
Globally, it is approximated that roughly 58.5 million people have jobs in primary fish production, with this number skyrocketing to 600 million when including any jobs who rely at least partially on some form of aquaculture, which includes fishing or fish farming1. Likewise, in the United States alone, more than 51 million jobs are contributed by coastal communities2. Though these numbers include any sources of fish, and not simply those found in coral reefs, it is also important to keep in mind that approximately 25% of marine life relies on coral reefs at some stage of their life cycles, and that roughly half of the fisheries managed federally in the United States depend upon these very reefs as well3. With such large numbers in the U.S. alone, and considering the global figures, it soon becomes clear just how vital our reefs are for the survival of millions of people.
How, then, do we balance these concerns?
One answer is avoiding overfishing, or catching more fish than an area can regenerate. Among a number of causes, overfishing is often driven by illegal or unregulated fishing, a lack of regulation on the number of fishing vessels inhabiting one area, and funding which encourages an excess of fishing to more than two and a half times the number of fish needed for food4. Though these concerns can only truly be addressed by the enactment of policies and regulations, a way which everyday people can help to prevent overfishing is being mindful of the sources of their fish, just like any other food. More specifically, when purchasing sustainable seafood, or “seafood that is managed to provide for today’s needs while allowing the species to reproduce and be available for future generations,”3 one can both sustain themselves and their family without destroying populations.
A photograph by Antonio Busiello, as hosted on the World Wildlife Fund’s page on overfishing4, taken from on a fishing boat.
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