A recent study done by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network reveals that the reason the parrotfish are dying off is a result of fishing companies increasingly bringing in more fish per day than past years. For the sea urchins, pathogens and other invasive species are being introduced to the Caribbean, especially the Panama Canal area, due to all the shipping that occurs there. The report the GCRMN did to publicize their findings suggests adopting conservation, and inducting management strategies to the fisheries that will lead to restoring the population of the parrotfish. The problem with their plan is the unemployment it would probably cause. To solve this problem, the GCRMN says that part of their efforts would include examining alternate occupations for those that loose their jobs as a result of the conservation efforts.
Another solution that I see, would be to limit the shipping activities that take place in and around the Caribbean so as to reduce the pollution. Also, investigating the source of the pathogens that are killing off the sea urchins and replacing that source or eliminating it altogether would aid the sea urchin population.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140702093608.htm
Nice post. I find it interesting how interwoven the whole article is in regards to the coral reef's diminishment. (i.e. coral reef is being damaged due to lack of grazers eating the algae, lack of grazers due to overfishing and parasitic causes) I wrote a research paper two years ago in my English class about overfishing and all the things it affects. I distinctly remember that a large majority of the fisheries exceed their set biological limits and as a result, many species are being increasingly depleted. So I definitely agree with you that something needs to be done about companies fishing beyond their limits. It is a touchy situation, however, as you mentioned that many jobs could potentially be lost.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find funny (and I'm probably giving more credit to the average human kind than is due) is that the fisheries don't regulate themselves. They are very connected to the ocean, they should be able to see that some kinds of fish are disappearing, and think that maybe that would affect their companies. A couple job losses aren't as significant as a whole company and a whole ecosystem tossed down the drain. And, with lots of thought, new jobs could be created elsewhere apparently, because the GCRM says that would be part of their plan of saving the parrotfish and the coral reefs. But greedy people are blind to all kinds of stuff, so the fisheries probably don't care that some fish are disappearing so long as fish still show up in their nets. But eventually, fish may die off altogether if there aren't limits and regulations set up. And, most importantly, strictly enforced. For the sake of the coral reefs, I hope rules are made and taken seriously. I've seen a few coral reefs and they are beautiful and worth taking care of.
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