No place to hide: overfishing in Southeast Asia

As if this wasn't expected, a report is out detailing another depredation and decimation of fish stocks (as well as declining larval fisheries in mangrove coastal areas).


Trawlers emptying Southeast Asia's seas


The data and trends are daunting and disturbing, bordering on downright depressing.

"Mr. Allison said the habitat for young fish, or fry, is also shrinking because the mangrove swamps which provide food and protection are being obliterated by coastal development including tourist resorts."

here's some numbers:

According to World Fish data, there were 10 times more fish in the Gulf of Thailand in 1965 than 30 years later.

In Malaysia, the decline was between 80% and 90%, while in the Philippines it is estimated that there was a 46%-78% drop in fish stocks.

Bottom line (I've heard this before; have YOU?)

"He [Allison] urged enforcement authorities to adopt conservation measures such as encouraging the use of hook and line traps that net only targeted fish, and aquaculture to produce popular species.

"The aquatic system is quite resilient and they can recover if we can remove some of the pressures. What is needed is the political will and motivation to do so," he said."

Yeah, and we need that in this country to cut Social Security benefits and raise the retirement age (see my suggestions here). I seriously doubt either is going to happen. Like I said, disturbing.