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| The plight of the bluefin | The plight of the bluefin |
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| VIEWPOINT Ted Danson | VIEWPOINT Ted Danson |
| The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a magnificent creature in a desperate plight, says Ted Danson. It may be possible to save it - but what about the wider issue of our overfished oceans?The 100 km/h bluefin are "tigers of the sea" | The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a magnificent creature in a desperate plight, says Ted Danson. It may be possible to save it - but what about the wider issue of our overfished oceans?The 100 km/h bluefin are "tigers of the sea" |
| I'm an actor, but ocean issues have been important to me for a big part of my life. | I'm an actor, but ocean issues have been important to me for a big part of my life. |
| I became involved in the mid-1980s when I took my daughters to the beach, only to find it had been closed for swimming as a result of pollution. | I became involved in the mid-1980s when I took my daughters to the beach, only to find it had been closed for swimming as a result of pollution. |
| Since then, I've spent the last 20-plus years as an ocean advocate, working with Oceana (and its predecessor organisation) to help in its efforts to restore the oceans to vitality and health. | Since then, I've spent the last 20-plus years as an ocean advocate, working with Oceana (and its predecessor organisation) to help in its efforts to restore the oceans to vitality and health. |
| I am on Oceana's board of directors. | I am on Oceana's board of directors. |
| One thing I learned early on is that pollution isn't the biggest problem facing the oceans, though it is certainly important. It's abundantly clear to me that overfishing is pushing our oceans towards an irreversible collapse 'Only 50 years left' for sea fishQuota calls fail to catch the drift | One thing I learned early on is that pollution isn't the biggest problem facing the oceans, though it is certainly important. It's abundantly clear to me that overfishing is pushing our oceans towards an irreversible collapse 'Only 50 years left' for sea fishQuota calls fail to catch the drift |
| It's overfishing. We're just taking too many fish out of the sea. | It's overfishing. We're just taking too many fish out of the sea. |
| Since 1950, 90% of the big predator fish - your swordfish, your shark - have disappeared. | Since 1950, 90% of the big predator fish - your swordfish, your shark - have disappeared. |
| This summer, Oceana launched a new campaign and a new research boat, the MarViva Med, dedicated to saving the northern bluefin tuna, or Thunnus thynnus. | This summer, Oceana launched a new campaign and a new research boat, the MarViva Med, dedicated to saving the northern bluefin tuna, or Thunnus thynnus. |
| This is your elite fish, the kind that sells for $100 per pound (£125 per kg) or more in Japanese fish markets. | This is your elite fish, the kind that sells for $100 per pound (£125 per kg) or more in Japanese fish markets. |
| Unfortunately for the bluefin, it's not only one of the world's most coveted seafood species - it's also one of the most threatened. | Unfortunately for the bluefin, it's not only one of the world's most coveted seafood species - it's also one of the most threatened. |
| Since the mid-1990s, tuna populations have spiralled downward, and scientists warn that an immediate moratorium on fishing is the only way to avoid an irreversible collapse. | Since the mid-1990s, tuna populations have spiralled downward, and scientists warn that an immediate moratorium on fishing is the only way to avoid an irreversible collapse. |
| In June, the European Union closed the bluefin tuna season for most ships two weeks early, but that's only a stop-gap measure. | In June, the European Union closed the bluefin tuna season for most ships two weeks early, but that's only a stop-gap measure. |
| Time is running out to sae these sleek and powerful fish. | Time is running out to sae these sleek and powerful fish. |
| Tiger tamed | Tiger tamed |
| Conservationists often refer to the bluefin tuna as the "tiger of the sea", but in truth a mature bluefin outweighs, outgrows and outpaces even the heftiest wild cat. | Conservationists often refer to the bluefin tuna as the "tiger of the sea", but in truth a mature bluefin outweighs, outgrows and outpaces even the heftiest wild cat. |
| Bluefin can weigh up to 1,400lbs (635kg) and measure 15ft (5m) long, and can sustain bursts of speed up to 60 mph (100 km/h) in pursuit of prey. | Bluefin can weigh up to 1,400lbs (635kg) and measure 15ft (5m) long, and can sustain bursts of speed up to 60 mph (100 km/h) in pursuit of prey. |
| Warm-blooded, they migrate across oceans, and females produce up to 30 million eggs each spawning season. In recent years, sushi and sashimi have exploded in popularity Last rites for a marine marvel? | Warm-blooded, they migrate across oceans, and females produce up to 30 million eggs each spawning season. In recent years, sushi and sashimi have exploded in popularity Last rites for a marine marvel? |
| Bluefin tuna have fascinated and fed humans for ages. The first evidence of bluefin fishing in the Mediterranean dates to the 7th Millennium BCE when the Phoenicians established fisheries using hand-lines and primitive seine nets. | Bluefin tuna have fascinated and fed humans for ages. The first evidence of bluefin fishing in the Mediterranean dates to the 7th Millennium BCE when the Phoenicians established fisheries using hand-lines and primitive seine nets. |
| Aristotle studied tuna in his History of Animals, written in 350 BCE, and contended that the enormous fish gorged for two years before bursting from overeating. | Aristotle studied tuna in his History of Animals, written in 350 BCE, and contended that the enormous fish gorged for two years before bursting from overeating. |
| Four hundred years later, Pliny the Elder recommended eating tuna to treat ulcers, suggesting the neck, belly and throat as the finest pieces that must be eaten fresh even though "they cause severe fits of flatulence". | Four hundred years later, Pliny the Elder recommended eating tuna to treat ulcers, suggesting the neck, belly and throat as the finest pieces that must be eaten fresh even though "they cause severe fits of flatulence". |
| But it wasn't until the late 20th Century that that tuna became a global business. | But it wasn't until the late 20th Century that that tuna became a global business. |
| In recent years, sushi and sashimi have exploded in popularity in Japan and around the world, and consumers tout the fatty flesh of the bluefin as the most prized meat. | In recent years, sushi and sashimi have exploded in popularity in Japan and around the world, and consumers tout the fatty flesh of the bluefin as the most prized meat. |
| Purse seine ships, which close drawstring nets around schooling fish, became larger and more sophisticated, and fattening cages dotted the seas starting in 1996. | Purse seine ships, which close drawstring nets around schooling fish, became larger and more sophisticated, and fattening cages dotted the seas starting in 1996. |
| These cages, which can measure 50m (165ft) across, may represent the biggest threat to bluefin survival. | These cages, which can measure 50m (165ft) across, may represent the biggest threat to bluefin survival. |
| Tuna, often juvenile, are captured and dumped in the cages - or "ranches" - for months to fatten up, with all the associated problems of aquaculture: disease, waste and overfishing of the smaller fish used to feed the bluefin. | Tuna, often juvenile, are captured and dumped in the cages - or "ranches" - for months to fatten up, with all the associated problems of aquaculture: disease, waste and overfishing of the smaller fish used to feed the bluefin. |
| Fishing for giant bluefin has become hugely profitable. | Fishing for giant bluefin has become hugely profitable. |
| In the 1960s, its meat sold in the US for seven cents a pound. This season, the first bluefin sold in Taiwan netted $105 a pound. | In the 1960s, its meat sold in the US for seven cents a pound. This season, the first bluefin sold in Taiwan netted $105 a pound. |
| Quota of ignorance | Quota of ignorance |
| Despite this booming business, we barely understand how tuna populations work. | Despite this booming business, we barely understand how tuna populations work. |
| Several bluefin fisheries have cropped up in the Atlantic, only to collapse within a few years. The North Sea fishery collapsed in 1963, and a Brazilian fishery appeared in the early '60s only to vanish by 1967. | Several bluefin fisheries have cropped up in the Atlantic, only to collapse within a few years. The North Sea fishery collapsed in 1963, and a Brazilian fishery appeared in the early '60s only to vanish by 1967. |
| No-one knows why.Purse seine fishing has been restricted in the Mediterranean - but not by enough | No-one knows why.Purse seine fishing has been restricted in the Mediterranean - but not by enough |
| Current catch quotas set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Iccat) are nearly impossible to enforce, as fewer than 5% of catches have been sampled independently in the last decade. | Current catch quotas set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Iccat) are nearly impossible to enforce, as fewer than 5% of catches have been sampled independently in the last decade. |
| Some conservationists estimate that the fishing industry took 50,000 tonnes of bluefin from the Mediterranean by mid-June of this year - and the quota was set at 28,500 tonnes. | Some conservationists estimate that the fishing industry took 50,000 tonnes of bluefin from the Mediterranean by mid-June of this year - and the quota was set at 28,500 tonnes. |
| Iccat has set a declining quota for Atlantic bluefin over the next few years as part of a 15-year recovery plan, reducing the total allowable catch to 25,500 tonnes in 2010. | Iccat has set a declining quota for Atlantic bluefin over the next few years as part of a 15-year recovery plan, reducing the total allowable catch to 25,500 tonnes in 2010. |
| But it isn't enough. Bluefin need a generational breather to prevent total collapse. | But it isn't enough. Bluefin need a generational breather to prevent total collapse. |
| In the meantime, the data gathered by researchers aboard Oceana's MarViva Med tells us that the quotas that are in place are not effectively enforced and are ignored by the tuna fleet. | In the meantime, the data gathered by researchers aboard Oceana's MarViva Med tells us that the quotas that are in place are not effectively enforced and are ignored by the tuna fleet. |
| Even as a lay person, not a scientist, it's abundantly clear to me that overfishing is pushing our oceans towards an irreversible collapse. | Even as a lay person, not a scientist, it's abundantly clear to me that overfishing is pushing our oceans towards an irreversible collapse. |
| Bluefin tuna is just one species that's already at the brink of extinction. We can bring the tuna back, but only if we act now. | Bluefin tuna is just one species that's already at the brink of extinction. We can bring the tuna back, but only if we act now. |
| Ted Danson is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor who has appeared in more than 25 films. He is a founder and board member of Oceana, which researches and campaigns on marine issues | Ted Danson is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor who has appeared in more than 25 films. He is a founder and board member of Oceana, which researches and campaigns on marine issues |
| The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental issues running weekly on the BBC News website | The Green Room is a series of opinion articles on environmental issues running weekly on the BBC News website |
| Do you agree with Ted Danson? Is over-fishing the worst problem facing the health of the oceans and the life in them? Do species such as the bluefin need urgent protection? Or should fishermen be left to their own devices to catch what they will? | Do you agree with Ted Danson? Is over-fishing the worst problem facing the health of the oceans and the life in them? Do species such as the bluefin need urgent protection? Or should fishermen be left to their own devices to catch what they will? |
| Overfishing has been on a huges scale in the North Sea, Atlantic Mediterranean and Pacific for years. Greed by fishing nations has meant that, unless catches are physically monitored and boats seized if caught it will continue until no fish exist.Moreover bottom trawls ruin the seabed plants and environmentAlastair Clarke, Leamington Spa UK | |
| Over-fishing is certainly a problem. Boats are bigger and more sophisticated and can locate specific species of fish. When beurocracy moniters this and fish quotas are adhered to tons of dead fish are thrown back into the water. This is wrong and wasteful and some other form of monitoring must be found.Daphne Gourley, Londonderry, N. Ireland | |
| I do agree entirely with Mr Danson, but as consumers of fish we are not as powerless as it might seem! By far and a way the best thing we can all do is to hunt down fish certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. Like FSC timber, fish carrying the MSC blue tick label is increasingly appearing in supermarkets and restaurants and if you can't find it where you're shopping, ask why not!Richard, Brighton | |
| I absolutely agree. Over-fishing is a scandal. The oceans are being wrecked for short-term greed. | |
| I heard a shocking story the other day of a fishing boat picking up on the radar a shoal of mackeral on its way to its spawning grounds. They didn't just take a percentage of the shoal - they took the lot. Before the fish had time to spawn. Where's the sense in that? | |
| We need to set up protected reserves that will allow stocks to recover. And strictly maintain that protection. If we don't, there will soon be no fish left and that will have a knock on effect on every other creature that lives in the sea. The ocean is a fabulous resource and we are just trashing it. It has to stop... and soon.Jane Burnett, London | |
| I agree with Ted Danson. A total ban for two years to see if fish stocks increase and by how much is needed.Mark Johnson, Romford, UK | |
| Man is the ultimate predator, and we must curb our enthusiasm for slaughter.justin roake, witney, oxfordshire | |
| like everything else, we consume, harvest and reap- we take it all to unprecidented levels of distruction. the only answer is to have an immediate WORLD-WIDE-BAN on all types of fishing and sea-harvesting for a period of 5- 10 years. fisherman should be given support to return to the farmlands with gov.supports and incentives. supermarkets should balance thier stocks accordingly to side-step losses. all nets, whaling, dynamiting, dredging etc. NEEDS TO STOP NOW! surely we would reap the benefits in 5-10 yrs time when stocks have replenished ten-fold!!? but i guess its like the oil, the gas and the trees of this planet being rapidly consumed.. PRO-ACTIVITY IS NOT ON THE MENU!! at this point i would like to apologize to my children and thier children to come..IF we make it that far as a 'so called clever but compassionate species.'maxwell williams, Newlyn, Penzance, UK | |
| I totally agree with Ted Danson the human race seems to put immediate profit over sustaining a fishery with which generations could profit,living in the U.K. we see most of our species dragged off the floors of the sea with trawler nets leaving nothing but an underwater desert,why cant we fish with sensible methods. | |
| If the tuna disappears what are these big game hunters and tuna fisheries going to do then surley it is in there interest to act now to save the business for the future.The quick buck is soon lost as we are a greedy species, maybe introduce seasons as well as quotas for most types of fish and in the extreme cases ban fishing all together when needed Russell, Basildon,England | |
| Totally agree, one major issue is the fact that none of the major fishing countries will consider this, as it is not possible to police the quotas which are being caught. At the end of the day it is all down to PROFIT. Until, the likes of Japan are forced to stop fishing the larger spieces of fish we will be able to help these stocks become substantial again.Graeme Brackenbury, Beverley, East Yorkshire, England | |
| It's not for nothing that ICCAT is also referred to as the "International Conspiracy to Catch All Tuna"!! | |
| As with a lot of fiheries conservation, it's when the politics clashes with the science that the fish lose out and the oceans suffer.David, Dublin, Ireland | |
| This isn't just about over fishing. This is about over population. The resources available to us are not infinite and unless there is a global cap on population pretty soon we are going to be the creators of our own extinction.Jon, Cumbria | |
| Of course he's right. It's irrelevant to ask if it's the "worst" problem facing the oceans. ("Oh, only the second-worst? Well that's just fine then.") It's a huge problem, and it's caused entirely by humans: consumers who don't want to know; fishermen who are greedy, wasteful, and short-sighted; and governments too craven to enforce their already over-generous quotas.Dushyanth Narayanan, Cambridge, UK | |
| Mankind is not the only species existing on this planet. This planet is for everyone and in that I include every living thing not just human kind. We have to live on this planet - our only home - in co-existence with Mother Nature and not destroy and exploit without measure. If we do not reign in our greed and rising population numbers we will pay the ultimate price. On this subject then fishermen cannot be only subject to their own self-imposed restrictions because there seems to be no limit to human greed. They have to - as do we all - think of the good of all living things now and in the future.Gillian Lambourne, Flamstead | |
| I agree with Ted Danson, that the oceans are being over-fished.If we do not do act now, man will destroy the fish and mammals and destroy the wonderful world of the sea. Like we have destroyed much of the land, rain forests and rivers already. Our fellow creatures, have just as much rights to live and survive with us on this beautiful planet. If animals ruled the world, it would be so much better, as they live in harmony with nature, only using what they need and not destroying their own habitat. | |
| I hate it the way people say "oh he is just like an animal" when describing some awful act a human being has done. Animals are being discredited when people say these things, it as though people, can't believe a fellow human being can destroy or harm another. Animals do not torture or war against us, they will only kill people if cornered or threatened by us. Animals do kill other species, but generally only to feed themselves or their family. I fear that we as a species only have a couple of hundred years,to survive, before we destroy each other and the world. It's incredible that the West has exploited the poorest countries for our own greed and gain, taking all the wealth, resources,and even historical treasures from these lands for our own consumption. What is the point of all this totally non essential stuff we keep making, buying, giving, selling at car boot sales, dumping at Charity shops or throwing away. People houses are stuffed full of non essential clutter and ru! | |
| bbish, which has been made at a cost to the environment and then has to be disposed of, it's totally MAD when you stop and think about it.Pat Shaw, Sutton, urrey, UK | |
| Greed and commerce will, I fear, keep right on winning. Our only predators are the viruses we co-exist with and our own self-destruct tendencies. Despite these, our population skyrockets and our soft lives breed more selfishness and intolerance through our growing overcrowding. I see that fish farms have faltered and failed. Remember the Belsen-like pyres of our diseased, intensely-farmed cattle?! Nature's way of giving us a warning smack in the mouth. What chance the bluefin, et al? Well, it starts here, with your publicity and persistence of a free press to frighten our leaders enough to consider less their inflation-proof retirement packages and more continued efforts to communicate globally and fight their way through each others' politics. By the way; I've added to the population problem by fathering a magnificent son and daughter - long live the human race!Keith Louis Lortie, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset. UK | |
| I agree wholeheartedly with Ted Danson. I don't want to rant and I have nothing profound to say but I did want to add my support and thanks to all of those who strive, long and thanklessly, to save me and my fellow planet dwellers from the disaster that we make it by overdoing in so many things. A Huge Thank You from me.Jane Piper, Dunfermline, Scotland | |
| Gross overpopulation of human beings will be the death of many fished food sources. I agree that something should be done urgently perhaps a new world power to manage all life upon this planet. Most of these problems appear to be pointing towards absolute greed without compromise, so predictable. I think it's about time someone threatend to sort it all out right now before it's just all too late with major fish stocks collapsing. One can only assume that the gov. world wide fully support these certain extinction events because it will pave the way to 'GM meat' protiens being grown in tanks for food. M. Weeks, worcestershire uk | |
| This problem is not going to go away easily as the demand for fish increases and the sofistication of catching them also increases. The way fish is caught is probably the biggest threat - perhaps more emphasis is needed on removing the large nets which scoop up everything and anything rather than selectively catching what is meant to be caught? How much is wasted by being thrown overboard dead already? What about the albatross numbers - work has been going on to weight the hooks differently in order to deter the albatross from drowning on the surface lying bait hooks - an idea that could be reviewed for other types of fishing?Carolynn Jureidini, Devizes, Wiltshire, UK | |
| I have surrported any charity that cares and fights for the well fare of animals. I feel that we as the United world, need to Protect the differnt speices of this world. The recent demise of the Yangtze river Dolphin Is just one of many marine speices that have been made extinct by the carelesness and arogance of some of our speices. If we carry on to submit our world to the violence and destruction caused by mankind then this we lead to our own demise. We have been cutting down a an area of forest in the Amazone, the size of a football pitch every minute for 30 years now. Just think of the habitate and animals we have destroyed. Morgan Charles, Maidenhead, England | |
| Not sure why people are still eating fish - the seas are so full of pollutants that all the larger fish are probably almost poisonous. If overfishing doesn't get them, the plastic or pollution will. | |
| In the UK, we need a more solid act to create lots more marine reserves.Bob Irving, Cirencester, UK | |
| I guess we as humans are just too greedy, and the more money made from some other species the better. About time some of the RICH nations started to think of others on this planet. It'll never happen until it is too late, unless all Governments agree to do something NOW. | |
| How likely is that? When those that want what they call a delicacy, can have it because they have the wealth and ability to go out and get it. Plain greed.Nick Hoskinson, Havant UK | |
| I think Ted Danson has a very strong argument for the reduction or even temporary halt to over fishing of the Bluefin Tuna. This also applies to many other kinds of fishing too. "We" as a race have taken far too much from our oceans and given back very little in return to ensure there suvival. All this for the all mighty dollar (or pound). Would it be too much to ask to employ a rotor system for global fishing. This would see fishing areas that could not be fished at certain times to allow the population to increase and not keep diminishing.Alan Baker, Selby | |
| If you have any interest in the long term health of our seas and sea-life then sacrifices have to be made. If fishermen or sushi lovers are unwilling to make these sacrifices then they must be forced to do so through regulation. This is called good governance - so stop stuffing your face. Consumers can help if they know more about tinned Tuna. For example is it ok to buy Yellow Fined Tuna? Are some companies or regions better to buy from than others? Is there any significance in line caught practises? Alex, London, UK | |
| The fish stock in all of our oceans appears to be very depleted and are worsening rapidly. We need to find an effective method of enforcing fishing quotas and the amount of fish we get from the seas so that fish populations can recover.Ian Vout, Cheltenham, UK | |
| Quite frankly I don't care what Ted Danson thinks unless it's related to his profession, which is acting. | |
| Who are the mainstream media going to drag up next to join the "debate" about the climate?Eddie, Oswestry | |
| Over-fishing is just perhaps the most evident of the threats facing the oceans. If global warming continues on its present course there will be wholesale breakdown of ecosystems and foodchains as the seas become more acidic. | |
| As to the cause of over-fishing; too many mouths to feed and, in common with global warming, a weak link between actions taken today and future repercussions. | |
| If we were able to see the fish in the sea as we can the birds in the sky we'd be far more aware of the decline in their populations. Let's hope, for the sake of our children, that Ted's efforts aren't futile.Quentin, Camberley | |
| you dont have to be a genius or ted danson to know the problems the sea faces from over fishing. unless the fishermen take a few years off fishing in a few years there wont be anything to fish and guess what we,ll survive so whats in a year or twokenneth watt, fraserburgh | |
| Yes, I agree. Fishing has to be policed more effectively, and there need to be more marine reserves. Humanity doesn't understand the sea very well, and doesn't tend to find out that it is overfishing until the fish run out. Without scientific data that everyone can agree on we'll continue devastating the sea in a way that we wouldn't tolerate on land, given how the sea is hidden from our view.Stephen Braund, Plymouth, UK | |
| I absolutely agree. Whilst I believe the market is the most effective mechanism for regulating supply and demand in most areas, it is clearly failing in fisheries. So, indeed, are most of the controls applied by the EU. Perhaps the creation of large 'reserves' - enforced and policed - may bring back the threatened species. Other than that we will continue to push species to the brink of extinction. Peter Dunkley, Potterspury, South Northants, England | |
| I agree and support Ted Danson's comments. I am pleased that this issue is being highlighted and hope that something will now be done about it ! David Lowe, Manchester, England | |
| I am a future Marine vertebrate Zoology student at Bagor University (Wales) and personally, having kept an eye on marine issues for some time, feel that the main problem facing our oceans is all of these rules not being enforced! It's all well and good to say that there is a quota on the amount of fish that can be taken from the oceans or that stunning is illegal and all that responsibility jargon but what is the point in wasting money on legislations which are not kept in practice?!?! Enforce the laws we already have and those being passed and maybe things might actually have a chance to get better!Andrea Wijnaendts, Gloucester, England | |
| I concur wholeheartedly with Mr Danson. It isnt' enough for us to devastate the land that we live on but it appears to me that humankind through sheer greed and not survival are also intent on destroying the very place where all life began. Due to the avarice of corporations we have all lost sight of the facts behind these overfishing methods, they are the cause of entire communities and cultures worldwide being thrown out of existence, not to mention that they are interfering with everyones lifecycle in the way that they are affecting the foodchain. A human beings diet should not be a source of unbridled profit for the few. We truly are heading towards a corporate controlled world in which we will all live in a fool's paradise if we do not heed these warnings.Barry Winsley, Boston England | |
| Forty years ago here in New England, one could easily fish off any beach and in the matter of a few hours, enjoy a bountiful catch for family and friends. By the mid 90s, it was not uncommon to fish for the entire day and not bring in one fish. Huge Japanese factory ships patrolled our shores, taking tons of bait fish pretty much leaving our coastline barren of all but scavenger fish. The greed of man and his relentless quest of stripping nature of all her bounty will be his eventual downfall.Donald P. Gagnon, North Smithfield, RI, USA | |
| I have a question for the asian market which seems intent on devastating the worlds wildlife for the sake of ego and profit, what do you turn to when all wildlife has gone? Will you you start eating each other? It's time you dicided if you want to live in a healthy diverse world or a desert. Your callMike Lancaster, Blackpool, Lancashire | |
| It's good that Ted Danson has brought this issue to our attention. What can we do as individuals to help conserve the fish stocks? Is the best strategy to avoid buying fish, especially Tuna?Richard Bates, London, UK | |
| Our ignorance about the seas is astonishing. If cows were in the same situation, we would have turned them into a protected species long ago and would have dedicated vast resources to propping up the populations. We have over-fished so many different fish that many fishermen can't even find fish to harvest. Surely we need better international regulation, better international research, and a wider awareness that all ecosystems can be exhausted and we need to be at least as aware of what happens in our oceans as on the land. Climate change will affect our currents, this will also affect the fish and coral profoundly yet it is hardly mentioned in the climate change debate. Although I guess that is also part of the problem; we will talk about these things but we rarely do anything. The time has come to stop just talking and start being proactive about fishing, among so many other issues. We need to stop people 'sport' fishing for these marvellous animals, reduce the quotas for fisheries to a level that will allow recovery, and start being more aware of the impact of what we are putting in our mouths (or on our walls).Susan Ardis, Salisbury, UK | |
| Sadly some parts of the fishing industry have shown themselves very resistant to any measures to protect the fish species they rely on for their livelihood. There is irresponsible element that seeks to mine the seas rather than husband the fish resources for a long term future. Compulsory regulation is the only language thse individuals understand.drnjmartin@fastmail.fm, Drongan, Scotland | |
| I absolutely agree with Ted Danson. Certainly polution and climate change is a very real threat. However, the most immediate threat is the physical act of plucking too many fish out of the sea. Something has to be done - and it has to be done right now.John M Davies, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK | |
| We keep talking about protecting the jobs of the fishermen, but when there are no fish left in the sea there won't be any fishing jobs either. | |
| I find the narrow minded stupidity of fishing a critically endangered species to be another bullet point on a slide with the title "human beings are doomed as a species".Peter Saffrey, Glasgow, UK | |
| I agree completely on the need to put a moratorium on tuna fishing. What Mr.Danson fails to mention in his article is that the method of killing the tuna is incredibly cruel and brutal. Do we have to do this just to eat sushi? But I guess that's a futile question - given that we haven't even been able to stop the slaughter of whales, there's very little chance of an amnesty for the tuna! KALYANI MENON-SEN, Delhi, India | |
| yes I agree, I think many people are aware of the lack of fish worldwide, as the cod has been disappearing likewisein the north sea.Japan is probably the worst culprit for reasons other than the tuna overfishing. Your right you need a total ban on certain fish for some considerable time.We can eat other things and still have a good diet, this is just greed in more ways than one.david morris, Dubai. UAE. | |
| I totally agree with Ted Danson's comments. I am almost at a loss for words to explain why people the World over cannot see over-fishing as a fundamentally highly damging activity that will undoubtedly have severe, long-term effects for both the ocean and an entire eco system. | |
| Unfortunately, it is not just with tuna that the problem lies and many other species are also under threat. Demand for fish is increasing and the fish themselves are not being allowed to progress through adulthood and breeding because of it. | |
| Although there have been warnings of overfishing since even the 18th century, the technological advancements and the increased greed for financial gain has led to major fishing fleets decimating fish stocks. | |
| It is simply a collapse waiting to happen that will undoubtedly have unforseeable repercussions for the human race.D Owen, Huddersfield, UK | |
| Absolutely without question. I would support a complete moratorium on bluefin fishing this instant. In the face of so many simultaneous environmental catastrophies, there is no question but that we must act. Each choice matters at every moment and I would urge people to become aware of what they do when they consume and in the case of bluefin tune, simply choose to not eat it.James, Paris France | |
| I agree completely with Ted Danson. We must stop overfishing, and stop it now. The oceans are being abused, their populations decimated. No more excuses mankind, get your act together!Alan Rogers, Canterbury UK | |
| Ted is 100% correct in what he is asking us to do. I agree it is not too late to make a complete turnaround in the tuna population. We have to educate those in the processing area to accept less and to live with less. I know those that eat raw fish products to be fashionable and really do not care for it. Governments of the countries concerned should do more to militarily enforce the rules governing overfishing and quotas. However, I feel that some governments are in bed with the industry and make a great deal of money for some politicians on the take.John D Fuller, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada | |
| I'm with Mr. Danson on this is issue. As Joni Mitchell said "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". We're crazy to allow this situation to reach this crisis point.Ray Pook, London | |
| I agree with Danson that, even as a layman, it is obvious that over-fishing is a major problem. All governments, including our own, bow to pressures from the industry rather than agree an international plan for sustainable fishing. The human race is bent on self-destruction through greed and short-sightedness.John Ellis, Llandysul, Wales | |
| I partially agree with these statements, over fishing is a big problem. There are just so many problems with the oceans that to focus on one over the other is giving people false hope. What about the tons of sewage, garbage, or other pollution that is dumped into the ocean each day. How many species of fish does one oil spill kill? We are constantly dumping chemicals into the ocean at an alarming rate. I think that over fishing is a problem but we need to look at a much bigger picture in order for us to clean up or even save a handful of animals that live there. I thing people need to be made aware of all the other variables involved in order to see how much work we really have to do to fix this problem.Brad, Eau Claire USA | |
| We should only eat Farmed fish and let the natural stocks build up to a sustainable level again. Then rethink how we can use these stocks intelligently.Martin Itter, | |
| I'm pleased that for once an issue as important as the state of our oceans and seas gets celebrity endorsement. For years fishermen globally have behaved as though they have the right to take whatever they want, waste whatever they want and do pretty much whatever they want with no consequences. It is time that countries the world over took some responsiblity for the calamity which is now very near and take action soon to reverse some of the ravages we have committed against our seas and oceans and the fish, sharks, marine life that inhabit it before it can't be redeemed. V Powell, London | |
| Over-fishing has been a huge and developing problem for years, you onlt have to look example at lobster and how previous records show that lobsters being caught were upto and over a merter long. Now ig you anywhere your struggle to find one over 30cm odd. | |
| I guess as suggested early the main problem is patrolling the huge area that is the ocean! - I think education and awareness needs to be raised of the problems and how fascinating the ocean is.Richard , Worthing | |
| Large pelagic species such as tuna, shark and billfish have been decimated by both intentional catch and bycatch over recent years. Many of these species grow slowly and take many years to reach reproductive age - often never achieving it before being caught. The result is a crash in numbers and also in average size of the fish. | |
| Without massive and enforced corrective action, the destruction of a small number of key species such as these may have totally devastating consequences on the ocean's ability to feed us, the human species. While many people put lots of effort into saving aquatic mammals, their loss would be significantly smaller (although of course lamentable). If for no other reason than pure human selfishness as a species, we must protect these stocks. We must not allow individual human selfishness (the fishermen, fish marketeers and those who will spend any money on rare fish) to de facto form our approach to harvesting the ocean. | |
| It would be far nicer to think that the human species would want to preserve these wonderful fish for their own sake rather than their importance to ourselves, but I can't see us being that enlightened.Adrian, Crawley, UK | |
| I agree | |
| They should ban bottom trawls they distroy the seabed, and limit the range/speed of trawlers in general. Maybe only line fishing should be allowed. | |
| Hovwer, no use retsricting inshore fishing if deep sea trawlers hoover up what is left.James Hamilton, Kingston upon Thames | |
| Ted Danson is right. Massive damage is being done in all oceans on an unprecedented scale. Fishermen most certainly cannot be trusted to care for fish stocks. They repeatedly deny there are problems in the face of overwhelming evidence. Over-fishing is the world's number one environmental problem and there is precious little time left to avert catastrophe.paul scott, eastbourne uk | |
| I worked for two years as catching King Crabs in AK. I cannot count how many times I asked our skipper when he thought the crabs will be over fished, his reply was a kind of "How can you think that?" Well it did collapse and now is one a very successful example of how we can manage a fishery which means our Oceans. I know here in the BVI the Caribbean is over fished and our coral reefs are in big trouble. Parrot fish are needed to feed on the coral to keep algea and bacteria at bay but where are the Parrot Fish? I try talking to fishermen here and again I get that same disbelief that a problem exists. We have to find a way to help fishermen understand just what they are doing to our Oceans. Fish and crustations still breed at the same speed they did from the beginning of time. Ways of catching them are changing faster and faster with better effeciency all the time. how can the Ocean and its inhabitants keep up with human technology? It is a serious matter wouldn't you say?Guy Clothier, Road Town, Tortola | |
| Of course overfishing is a huge problem for the oceans. People care so much about the insignificant things that we don't even realise that we're destroying the very mechanisms that support our life on earth. It's disgracefulAlastair, ireland | |
| I wholeheartedly agree with Ted Danson. If quotas are not working, the situation is urgent. I will not be buying any tuna from now on.illi, London UK | |
| Please use BC (before Christ) and not BCE (common era). BC makes reference to a huge part of our national heritage abd must not be dropped in the current fashion of political correctness, of which the BBC is so enamoured.Simon Brand, Bath UK | |
| Of course they need our help. You only need to walk into any supermarket, restaurant or bar to see tuna on every shelf and menu - how on earth do we think we can sustain this? | |
| It is down quite clearly to the consumer to stop eating tuna/ swordfish/ monkfish and therefore drive down demand. If we all acted more thoughtfully about this we could make a real difference.Caroline, Leeds, UK | |
| I grew up in a fishing community in Alaska, and have watched as my town's greatest resource has been obliterated over the past twenty years. It's a Catch-22: if a moratorium is placed on fishing, many of the people I grew up with will be out of work for years. | |
| On the other hand, if one isn't, they'll be out of work permanently. I honestly believe Mr. Danson is correct: without immediate and extraordinary measures, we will forever destroy what should be a resource available to us in perpetuity.CE Murphy, Longford, Ireland | |
| The planet and all its creatures must be protected. Greed should not be allowed to triumph over conservation.Kevin Browne, Stamford, CT 06901 | |
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