A recent analysis of footage from cameras mounted on commercial fishing vessels has unveiled substantial under-reporting of ocean wildlife deaths, shedding light on the true impact of industrial fishing practices.
Andrea Vance reports for The Post.
In short:
- Cameras aboard fishing vessels reveal a significant under-reporting of ocean wildlife deaths due to nets and lines.
- The data highlights a concerning increase in interactions with protected species like dolphins and albatrosses.
- Calls for more stringent regulations and oversight in the fishing industry are growing louder in response to the revelations.
Key quote:
“These are pretty stark figures, but they do reinforce what we have suspected all along: that fisheries by-catch is being under-reported by industry, and that we do not have an accurate picture of the threats that commercial fishing poses to our threatened species.”
— Dr. Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, WWF New Zealand chief executive
Why this matters:
Accurate reporting of marine wildlife deaths is vital for understanding and mitigating the impact of industrial fishing on ocean ecosystems. Read more: How fishing subsidies hurt the ocean—and us, too.
