It is impossible to imagine a world without fish, the ocean is huge and its resources seemingly inexhaustible. But scientists predict that if we continue at the rate we are going, the oceans will be fished-out by 2048. Director Rupert Murray and his team spent two years making the documentary ‘The End of The Line‘ in an attempt to raise awareness of the threat to world fish stocks and to initiate change in public policy in order to protect the many oceanic species at risk.
Commercial fishing began in the 1950’s and as early as the 1990′s, the affects of the industry’s unsustainable practices could be seen. In 1992, Cod fishing was banned in Northern Canada as a result of a dramatic depletion of the Cod population. Since then, the once abundant species has never returned to healthy numbers. Ignoring this foreshadowing event, the fishing industry has continued to make improvements to technology, allowing fisherman to increase their yields with the greatest of ease. Think about this, the long-lining industry puts 1.4 billion hooks in the ocean every year, that’s enough to encircle the globe 550 times! Furthermore, the mouth of the largest trawling net can accommodate 13 ’747′ aeroplanes, scouring the ocean floor and destroying anything in its path.
One of the most shocking parts of the film is the explanation of the plight of the blue fin tuna – one of the most sought after fish in the world. The yearly catch has decreased a massive 80%. Scientists say in order to avoid collapse of the species, the industry should catch only 15,000 tonnes a year. However, politicians set the allowance at 29,000 tonnes. The amount actually caught? Over 60,000 tonnes.
With 1.2 billion people relying on fish as a staple part of their diet, ‘The End Of The Line‘ is not telling us we can’t eat seafood, it is simply trying to show the world potentially simple solutions to this problem. If politicians would listen to scientists warnings and enforce fishing laws, if consumers were educated on how to make sustainable food choices, if we worked together to protect marine reserves and if the amount of fishing boats was reduced, then future generations would be able to enjoy the wonders of seafood as we have been able to.
