Biology: Overfishing and Grand Banks Essay

Submitted By cindyxo
Words: 893
Pages: 4

Have you ever wondered how technology has changed the utilitarian relationship between human and fish? Well, it has had many effects on how we fish and the fishes in the sea as well. As technology has become more and more advanced that has made our fishing more efficient meaning that it has become easier for us to catch more fish. This has and will impact human lives in a very critical way. Along with other of Earth’s resources we have to learn and take care of our environment to keep it in a Holocene state for a very long time. Earth’s resource limited but shared resources have led to much competition among humans. The relationship between humans and fish has evolved over the years along with the new developed technological advancements in fishing. There are many examples around the globe that relationship with fish has changed because of technology. In 1992 the collapse of the Newfoundland Grand Banks Cod fishery in Canada was mainly caused by the technological advancements made in fishing. The Newfoundland Grand Banks was once renowned as the world’s most productive fishing grounds. The first European explorers described the waters as being so full, one just had to lower a basket into the water and it would come up filled with cod. Up to the 1950s the bounty of the Grand Banks was enough to supply local small-scale fishing, as well as feed millions of harp seals. But this happy picture was not to last. The Grand Banks fishery was destroyed by technological advances in fishing techniques in the 1950s and 60s. Small artisan fishing boats found themselves competing with trawlers modeled on the factory whaling ships that had devastated the last remaining whale populations. As cod catches declined, factory trawlers used ever more powerful sonar and satellite navigation to target what was left. By 1992, when the cod catch was the lowest ever measured, the government was forced to close the fishery (Greenpeace.org). There have been many disputes all over the world due to overfishing. One example in which overfishing has caused an international dispute was in the dispute between Morocco, Spain, and the EU. Moroccan disputes with Spain over fishing rights have gone on for many years. However, the issue became more contentious in the 1970's when countries began to declare Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). In 1973, Morocco declared a 70 mile coastal fishing limit. This was extended to 200 miles in 1981. At the same time, the EU declared a 200 mile fishing zone in 1977. All of these declarations caused the Spanish much trepidation and led to initiation of several bilateral agreements. Amongst these agreements was one with Morocco. Since its accession to the EU, Spain's relations with Morocco have been through EU parameters. In 1988, Morocco signed a four year agreement with the EU which restricted EU vessels to a catch of 95,000 tons annually in Moroccan waters. In return, Morocco received licenses and fees and other financial assistance in a package worth ECU70 million per year. In 1992, this agreement was renewed for another four years. Under the renewed agreement, Morocco's compensation rose to ECU 102 million a year. The renewal of the agreement was not a simple process. In fact, it was only agreed upon after a temporary two month extension. This renewal process marked the beginning of a dispute between Morocco and the EU, primarily affecting Spain, over fishing. Central to Morocco's blocking of EU boats, and their rejection a