Fish Shortage Worries Policymakers
Submitted by cgonen on 06/30/2008 05:21 PM
- Category: Social Issues
- Words: 534
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Fish Shortage Worries Policymakers
In many developing countries, fish is one of the main foods that supply the protein needed for a healthy body. Fish provides about one-sixth of the world's population with their total protein. Globally, fish represents about seven percent of the total food supply. Today, demand is about to exceed current supplies. Additionally, over the next twenty years, as the world's population and demand continues to grow, this problem will be magnified. It is estimated that around one billion people who predominately live in developing countries will face extreme shortages of fish which is a primary food in these regions (Reuters, 2002).
Experts from more than 40 countries have met to study the serious nature of this problem. They realize that some of the poorest populations are currently the most dependent and can not stop fishing, however, measures must be taken now or the supplies in the future will not meet the expected demand. One innovative idea is fish farming which is also known as "aquaculture". It is estimated that this solution can replenish about two-thirds of the anticipated growth (Reuters, 2002).
Analysts from the WorldFish organization predict a chain of reactions will occur. First, they believe that some fish species will disappear from markets. Second, they believe the quality of the seafood will change and probably decline. Third, They feel that countries will be fighting with one another over fishing territory. Lastly, they believe there will be a significant increase in price, which may even lead to increases in social conflicts (Reuters, 2002).
In addition to the experts from WorldFish, economists agree that prices will increase, but by how much is unknown. Some estimate that prices may rise between four and six percent by 2020. Others predict much higher increases between twenty-six to seventy percent, depending on the fishing industry's ability or inability to meet the increasing demand (Reuters, 2002). If the...
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