For centuries fishing has provided food for the world's communities. As with many of the world's most precious natural resources, sustainability is becoming a huge issue for the fishing industry. In short, commercial companies are overfishing the world's oceans, bringing entire fish populations to the brink of danger. Researchers predict that if current fishing trends continue at their established rates, wild marine species will experience a total collapse by the year 2050. Four short decades from now, countries that depend upon fishing to feed their populations will run into a major issue unless something is done to slow the harvesting of wild fish.
The truly alarming fact is that fishing numbers are trending in the wrong direction. Each year, more and more wild fish are being harvested, often times at the expense of long-term sustainability. Though this fact is certainly frightening, it is not too late to reverse the trend. Something can be done to restore the vitality of fish populations through the world's most precious waters, but the time to act has arrived. What can be done to help preserve fish populations and even help them grow to previous population numbers? A system of institutional control would be a great place to start.
Given the nature of international law and the fact that the majority of fishing happens in open waters, there exists some regulation difficulty. A study conducted braided fishing line for spinning reels by the University of British Columbia and the WWF found that 23 rogue countries were responsible for 40% of the world's catch. Those countries were, at least to some extent, ignoring the important international fishing laws put forward by the United Nations. Taking advantage of the lack of a regulating body, these countries and their fishing industries have exploited international waters, robbing them of large fish populations.