Overfishing of the oceans is the removal of wild animals from the sea with catch rates that are too high for fished species to regenerate themselves. This is shown by the fact that the fish stock is continuously decreasing.
Fish is an important food source for humans. 2.9 billion people cover 20 percent of their protein needs with fish worldwide.
However, more than 4 million fishing fleets are active worldwide and about 140 million tons of fish are caught every year.
The proportion of aquaculture fish – this is not caught in the wild but bred – in the global fish production destined for consumption is now more than 40 percent. However, many of the fish bred in aquaculture are predatory fish and require other fish as food. Wild-caught fish are therefore used for feeding. To get one kilogram of in captivity bred fish you require the average amount of about five kilograms of wild-caught fish.
Eating fish raised in aquaculture does not mean that it automatically protects wild fish.
A tip for the passionate fish eaters among you:
- Buy fish from local breeding: The production is more sustainable, the transport routes shorter, the fish is fresher and it tastes just good.
With a small change in everyday life, each of us can make a contribution against overfishing!