smh.com.au
Record Blue Shark Bycatch Highlights Urgent Need for Ocean Treaty Enforcement
Industrial fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean resulted in a record-high bycatch of 438,500 blue sharks in 2023, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of longline fishing and the urgent need for stronger regulations under the United Global Oceans Treaty.
- What is the immediate impact of the record-high blue shark bycatch on the Western and Central Pacific Ocean ecosystem?
- In 2023, industrial fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean resulted in the unintended capture of 438,500 blue sharks, weighing 48,200 tonnes—the highest number on record and more than double the amount caught in 2015. This bycatch, comprising 91% of all bycatch in the Lord Howe and South Tasman region, highlights the indiscriminate nature of longline fishing targeting tuna, marlin, and swordfish.
- How do current industrial fishing practices, specifically longline fishing, contribute to the high levels of blue shark bycatch?
- The massive blue shark bycatch is a consequence of non-selective fishing practices, particularly longline fishing, which uses extensive lines with thousands of baited hooks. This indiscriminate method leads to the capture of non-target species, severely impacting predator populations like blue sharks and causing significant ecosystem disruption. The high number of blue sharks caught in 2023 (438,500) underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and sustainable fishing methods.
- What are the long-term implications of this unsustainable fishing practice, and what role does the United Global Oceans Treaty play in addressing this issue?
- The record-high blue shark bycatch in 2023 signals a critical need for effective implementation of the United Global Oceans Treaty. The treaty's success hinges on the 60 ratifications required for enforcement, emphasizing the urgency for nations to adopt and enact its provisions. Failure to do so could result in further depletion of vulnerable species and irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue through a narrative of environmental crisis, emphasizing the alarming number of blue sharks caught as bycatch. The headline and opening sentences immediately highlight the severity of the situation. The use of vivid imagery, such as the sharks stretching 900km, further amplifies the negative impact. While this framing raises awareness, it might also inadvertently oversimplify the issue and potentially exaggerate the threat, leaving less room for a balanced discussion on the complexity of the problem and solutions.
Language Bias
The language used is largely factual and descriptive, but certain word choices contribute to a negative framing. Terms like "sweeping up unprecedented levels," "alarming," and "huge issue" evoke strong emotional responses. While accurate, these choices lean towards sensationalism rather than neutral reporting. For instance, "unprecedented levels" could be replaced with "significantly high levels." Similarly, "alarming" could be replaced with "substantial.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the impact of industrial fishing on blue sharks, providing specific numbers and expert quotes. However, it omits discussion of potential mitigation strategies or the effectiveness of existing regulations beyond mentioning the new United Global Oceans Treaty. While the treaty is mentioned, its current status (lack of ratification) and the potential challenges to its implementation are not explored. The article also doesn't delve into the economic aspects of the fishing industry and the potential difficulties of transitioning to more sustainable practices. These omissions, while perhaps due to space constraints, limit the reader's ability to fully grasp the complexity of the issue and potential solutions.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present a false dichotomy, but it implicitly frames the situation as industrial fishing versus ocean conservation. The complexities of balancing economic needs with environmental protection are not fully explored. The narrative largely positions the fishing industry as the problem, without nuanced exploration of potentially responsible actors or differing perspectives within the industry itself.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the devastating impact of industrial fishing, particularly longline fishing and bottom trawling, on marine life. The catch of 438,500 blue sharks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean alone exemplifies the severe depletion of this vulnerable species. The indiscriminate nature of these fishing methods leads to massive bycatch, including other marine animals like rays, turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds. This significantly disrupts marine ecosystems and threatens biodiversity, directly contravening SDG 14 targets aimed at conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.