Fisheries

Fish is an importatn source of protein in many parts of the world.This includes both marine and freshwater fish.while the supply of food from fisheries has increased phenomenally between 1950 and 1990,in several parts of hte world fish catch has since dropped due to overfishing.In 1995 ,FAO reported that 44% of the world's fisheries are fully or heavily exloited-16% are alreay overexploited,6% are depleated and only 3% are gradually recovering .Canada had to virtiually close down cod fishing in the 1990s due to the serve depletion of its fish reserves.

Moderen fishing technologies using mechanized trawelrs and small meshed nets lead directly to overexpoilitation,which is not unsustainable.It is evident that fish have to breed successfully and need to have time to grow if the yield has to be used sustainably.The small traditional fisherman,who are no match for organized trawlers,are the worst affected by these developments.