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Fishing is a popular recreational sport and a commercial enterprise where varieties of fishes are caught in bays, streams, rivers, lakes, and seas using different devices and equipment. Through the years, as this activity continuously becomes a popular pastime and brings a lot of benefits to people of all.^{[1] Fishing – Environmental Impacts">[1] Fishing – Environmental Impacts">[1]} With constant development of fishing gear and equipment that makes the fishing activity a lot easier and more exciting, it's no wonder thousands of recreational anglers head to Fishing spots every year.

But this activity is and should not be just about the fun and fulfillment that we can get from it. Our waters are home to a lot of different species of plants and animals, each of which plays a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance. As more and more people fish annually, there is a great risk of affecting breeding grounds, food sources, and habitats underwater. The results may not be evident immediately but it may be too late before we realize how destructive our actions were.

The early development of fishing can be traced back to prehistoric lake dwellings. Since then the effects and impacts of fishing in the environment is perceptible. The Greeks and Phoenicians developed ships for fishing and trading; while the Egyptians are known for creating the finest fishing nets made out of twine spun from flax. In the Middle Ages, inland and sea fishing were very important for the people.^[2] These activities provide for their living such as food in their table and fish oil used to fuel their lamps. On the other hand, when the World War II commenced, countries expanded their fishing fleets. Due to this increase in the fishing harvest^[3], the problem of overfishing started.

Meanwhile, fishing as a commercial enterprise is an important economic activity for many countries. This means that fishing is not only a recreational activity, but it also involves fishing as an industry that provides food and jobs for millions of people.^[4] In addition, millions of people worldwide are employed in the fishing industry. Some of these people are either engaged in the activities in ocean fishing boats, coastal craft or small fishing boats. Gears such as nets, hooks, trap and harpoons are used to catch fishes, depending on the behavior of the fishes and the nature of the fishing grounds.^[5] On the other hand, inland fisheries manufacturers include the manufacturing and marketing of fishery products and equipment. This information proves that the fishing industry demands a lot from our aquatic natural resources. Abuses and exploits manifested just to keep up with the market, and increase monetary gains.

Fishing may cause the disruption in the food chain and food web systems. A "fish community" is formed in all the different aquatic environments such as the lake, or a certain part of the sea. Food chain works by passing energy from one living thing to another in the form of food. Meanwhile, Food web is a series of food chains in a natural community. This system prevents one form of life to increase rapidly and become too many. Overfishing affects this system by destroying the natural balance of the environment. The problem arises when fishermen target specific, in-demand species. There might be too much fishing of prey species such as sardines and anchovies, thus reducing the food supply for the predators. It may also cause the increase of prey species when the target fishes are predator species such as salmon and tuna.

Another effect of fishing in the environment is that it may cause the destruction of the natural habitat of sea creatures. Dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing and other modern technology to increase the catch is not only an illegal and destructive ways of fishing but also endanger the habitat of little fishes like the coral reefs.^[6] It accidentally victimizes vertebrates and invertebrates surrounding the target community. Poisoned areas that settle on plants that fishes eat unexpectedly kill more trawls than those directly hit. Fishing illegally destroys the entire ecosystem, and may not be revived for future generation’s to enjoy and utilize.

These arising fishing problems stirred the government, resulting to the addressing of policies to regulate the industry.^[7][8] Fishing conservation aims to control the human activities that may completely decrease a fish stock or washout an entire aquatic environment. These laws include the limit or setting a quota on the total catch of particular specie in a fishery. It also regulates the number of vessels allowed in the area. Another way to prevent overfishing is the implementation of area restrictions, and assigning of a particular time of the year where fishing]] is allowed or not. The fishing method and gears are now being regulated as well to make sure that the ecosystem is well-managed, protected, and restored, and the ecology and biodiversity are conserved to continuously provide in more years to come.

Activities made by people in the bodies of water will have an effect on animals and plants lives. Thus, every fishing enthusiast will have an impact on the marine environment; minimizing the impact as possible is the responsibility of each and everyone. This can be achieved through the following:^{[2] Fishing – Environmental Impacts">[2] Fishing – Environmental Impacts">[1]}

*Only Fish at designated bodies of water and during fishing seasons.

*Obtain a fishing license or permit.

*Follow the rules and regulations of the area where you will be fishing, such as catch limits and the like.

*Always keep the fishing location clean. Dispose of garbage properly, especially the non-biodegradable ones.

*Never use explosives.

See also

• Bottom trawling
• Aquaculture
• Overfishing
• Catch and release
• Fisheries management
• Marine Protected Area
• Marine Stewardship Council
• Maximum sustainable yield
• Shark finning
• Tragedy of the commons
• World Ocean Day
• World Water Day

References