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The Implications Of Overfishing In Maldives

Floating Lime
Nov 30, 20213 min read

As one of the major initial sources of income for the Maldivian population, fishing has left a significant impact on the nation's economy. With an abundance of marine life within the Maldivian waters, fishing has grown to become one of the primary industries of the nation as well as a popular recreational activity for locals and foreigners alike. Often described as the lifeblood of the country, the fisheries industry has since expanded from catching and drying tuna; today, Maldives is recognized for canning, processing and exporting fresh and frozen fish products. Yet, the environmental implications of fishing on such a large scale have steadily escalated over the course of the past decade, resulting in critical impacts on the livelihoods of much of the Maldivian population.


Overfishing is described as when too many fishes are caught, leaving an inadequate amount to breed and sustain a healthy population within their habitats. It is considered the encroachment of natural ecosystems as not only does it threaten marine wildlife, but it also has severe consequences on the development of ocean environments for future generations. Given that fisheries are part of the bedrock of the Maldivian economy, the threat of overfishing has intensified with the nation's growth. One of the key contributors to this is short-termism- when relevant authorities are too concerned with the achievement of short-term profits instead of long-term costs. It is also caused by increased rates of fishing where fish is taken from the ocean faster than they can reproduce. This would also result in the taking of juvenile fish from their regular habitats before they can breed.


Consequently, many fisherfolks in Maldives are faced with the consequences of exploiting the nation's supply of fish. Some species of fish, such as groupers, that were once a common sight, have now become a scarce resource due to overfishing, disturbances in spawning sites as well as an increase in unregulated fishing. The collapsing fish supplies are likely to take decades to recover while eroding livelihoods, communities and food security for islanders that heavily depend on the fisheries industry. Despite the declining fish supply, the demand for fish would still continue to increase and many Maldivians are likely to be faced with overpriced fish products due to the shortage. From an environmental standpoint, overfishing greatly impacts marine ecosystems as well. With too many fish taken out of the ocean, there is an imbalance within the food chain as many other species would depend on each other to survive. Marine life such as corals and sea turtles are left vulnerable in the fall of ocean environments while also putting species such as sharks, rays and chimaeras at the risk of extinction.


Though overfishing is a significant threat to local communities and marine wildlife within Maldives, there have been notable counter-measures raised in order to prevent the intensifying of the impacts of overfishing and promote the industry's environmental sustainability. One such measure is the implementation of pole-and-line fishing, meaning that fish is caught one by one instead of in bulk. Another such measure is the increase in government regulation regarding the fisheries industry. Due to state intervention, fishing has become a more controlled activity within the country; without the necessary permits and approvals from the relevant bodies, it is no longer permissible to take advantage of the wildlife thriving in Maldivian waters. These regulations also ensure that the habitats of these species are protected, further allowing oceanic environments to prosper in Maldives.


 

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