STOP BLAMING THEM!!!
Marine mammals are not the culprits behind decreased fish stocks, and culling them would not help the fisheries.
A new study published in PLoS-one clarifies the role of seals, dolphins and whales in the ocean.
RIMOUSKI, Canada – Large-scale culling of marine mammals would not benefit the fisheries, according to a new paper supported by the Lenfest Ocean Program and published today in the journal PLoS-One. For years, it has argued that reducing the number of whales, seals or dolphins in the oceans would improve fisheries because they eat fish that are caught for human consumption. The study published today found that even a complete eradication of marine mammal populations in seven different ecosystems of the world would not lead to any significant increase in commercially important fish populations.
Countries in favor of resuming commercial whaling have been arguing that this might the solution to increase fisheries catches. At the International Whaling Commission (IWC), this “whales eat fish” debate has been on for a long time, and the vote in favor of resuming commercial whaling is based on the understanding that culling whales would result in increased fisheries catches. Similarly, the potential negative impacts of seals and sea lions on commercially important fish stocks have been of great concern in ecosystems such as Atlantic Canada, Bering sea (USA) or Benguela (South Africa), and large-scale cullings are often seen as the solution.
“When we examine the potential competition between marine mammals and fisheries in 7 different ecosystems of the world, our results clearly demonstrate that whales, seals or dolphins are not a threat to fisheries” said Dr. Lyne Morissette, lead author and marine mammal expert at Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski. “Even when simulating the complete eradication of marine mammals from these ecosystems, we do not see any clear benefit for fisheries and moreover, this lead to important alterations in the structure of the ecosystems.”
The authors constructed ecosystem models, which account for feeding interactions between marine mammals, fish and fisheries, to understand the role that marine mammals play in the ocean. The scientists used global and regional data, validated by experts from the 7 ecosystems they modelled. “Competition within ecosystems is a complex issue and needs to be investigated using the appropriate scientific tools” said Dr. Villy Christensen, an author based at the University of British Columbia.
Regrettably, in this “marine mammals vs fisheries” debate, it is difficult to assess whether it is based on any scientific evidence, considering the lack of evidence for existing large-scale competition between whales and fisheries, the well documented fact that the world’s oceans increasingly are overexploited, and the unpredictable consequences of culling.
“All countries should adopt leadership roles in a common effort to manage our fisheries better,” said Dr. Daniel Pauly, an author from the University of British Columbia. “Over time, we have exploited and depleted the best marine resources, and now we are turning to what is left. The assertion that fish supply is in peril is legitimate, but the problem is resolved with better management, not large-scale cullings.”
The paper “Marine Mammal Impacts in Exploited Ecosystems: Would Large Scale Culling Benefit Fisheries?” is available online at http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043966.
Article courtesy of Lyne Morissette, Coordinator,Business Development, Marine Mammals & Ecology, St. Lawrence Global Observatory.
Speak Up and Share Your Thoughts!
This is so true! http://www.speakupforblue.com/in-ocean-news/seals-dont-affect-fisheries-according-to-new-study
Important study publish by PLOS One show that marine mammals are not responsible for fosthe lack of fish for people.
Coastal fishermen quite often suffer the damages in their nets caused by the feeding habits of sea lions. They eat the catch and damage the mesh and that means a loss of great deal of money. When the herds of sea lions come close to the shore they scare the hell off the fishes and catches become scarce. I believe this is the only situation on which the fishermen can assume catches would be improved by removing the populations of sea lions.
As the piece was written, the time to work together and not to look at individual cases of fishermen. watch Australia where big factory boats would also go fishing. All seas have been damaged by them. order to justify ourselves, we blame the seals. As stated without substantiation of the facts. If we do not work together with each other, the seas are exhausted with the consequences.
Some info for those who have been asking.
Never in doubt! We are the only species to target particular types of fish and then hunt them to extinction, and then have the front to blame, and want to kill, anything that depends on the same source, albeit non-specific, to survive! Pity we can't target some particular species of human to stop their activities!
Maybe that’s because you have all the local fish in the area in your net, and there’s nothing left for them to eat! Try using a different method of fishing that is sustainable. They have every right to food. More than we do!! It is their environment!!
Great post!