Many Jamaicans, especially those who live in coastal communities, rely heavily on the fishing industry as a source of income. But overfishing is now a serious issue that threatens both the marine habitat and the industry's viability. The overfishing issue in Jamaica, its effects on the fishing industry, biodiversity loss, and Jamaica's Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement will all be highlighted in this blog. We will also look at the way that the sector needs to take to address this issue and ensure long-term sustainability.
It is no secret that the fisheries of Jamaica are among the most overfished in the Caribbean, if not the entire globe. In fact, when compared to other tropical nations, Jamaica's fisheries and damaged coral reefs are frequently offered as examples of the worst-case scenario at international scientific conferences. According to the Environmental Defense Fund (2018, para 1) Overfishing refers to “catching too many fish at once, so the breeding population becomes too depleted to recover.” This issue has plagued Jamaica's fishing sector for a while. The employment of unsustainable fishing methods, such as fishing in protected areas and utilizing gear that harms the ocean floor, is the main contributor to overfishing in Jamaica. Furthermore, the problem is made worse by the absence of adequate fisheries management rules and enforcement.
Impact on the Fishing Industry's Sustainable Development
The sustainable growth of the fishing sector is seriously threatened by overfishing. Because fish populations are declining, fishermen must go further and use more expensive equipment to get the same amount of fish. In fact, local fisherman Ephraim Walters stated that he has to use gallons of fuel and travel miles to try and get fish (Jamaica Gleaner, 2022). This not only contributes to harmful gas emissions but also reduces their income. This thus has an impact on the livelihood and income of many Jamaicans who work in the fishing business preventing them from applying tools and techniques for sustainable fishing. For in truth, sustainably aims to preserve and protect resources for future generations. But how can we achieve this without the practicable instruments to do so? Additionally, overfishing may cause the sector to collapse, resulting in employment losses, economic instability, and food poverty.
Impact on Biodiversity Loss
The marine ecosystem is severely impacted by overfishing, which causes biodiversity to decrease. The role that a species plays in the ecosystem changes when its population declines, having an impact on the overall ecosystem. Certain species may go extinct as a result of overfishing, which can also change the food chain and cause an ecosystem to become unbalanced. As of 2006, The Blackfin Cisco, A salmonid fish has unfortunately met this fate of extinction due to overfishing and thus had negative effects on its ecosystem (Strauss, 2019). This in turn has an impact on the ocean's production and sustainability.
Connection to Jamaica's Nationally Determined Contribution
The Paris Agreement's Nationally Determined Contribution for Jamaica aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and boost the country's ability to adapt to climate change. Since it gives many Jamaicans a source of food and income, the fishing industry is crucial to fulfilling these goals. The fishing sector can aid in Jamaica's achievement of its NDC by tackling the issue of overfishing. With more revenue opportunities in the sector, Jamaica will be able to implement sustainable solutions that will now assist in achieving Jamaica's Nationally Determined Contribution.
Systems Thinking Approach to Tackle the Issues
A systems thinking strategy can be used by the fishing industry to address the issue of overfishing. This method entails comprehending the interactions between the numerous elements contributing to the issue and identifying fixes that deal with the underlying causes. The necessary actions include adopting efficient fisheries management plans, enforcing laws, encouraging sustainable fishing methods, providing fishermen with alternate means of support, and raising public awareness of the value of sustainable fishing techniques.
In conclusion, overfishing is a serious issue that has an impact on Jamaica's fishing industry, biodiversity loss, and the fulfilment of the nation's NDC. It is crucial to tackle this issue using a systems thinking strategy that emphasizes ethical fishing methods, efficient fisheries management regulations, and alternative livelihoods. As we strive as a society to create a sustainable environment, we must recognize that overfishing is an issue that affects us all. Only with a coordinated effort will the fishing industry ever be able to sustain itself well into the future, protecting many Jamaicans' livelihoods and access to food.
By Tasiana Henry
References
Environmental Defense Fund. (2018). Overfishing: The most serious threat to our oceans. Environmental Defense Fund. https://www.edf.org/oceans/overfishing-most-serious-threat-our-oceans#:~:text=What%20is%20overfishing%3F,animals%2C%20which%20are%20then%20discarded.
Strauss, B. (2019, October 26). The Harelip Sucker, the galapagos damsel, and other vanished fish species. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/recently-extinct-fish-1093350#:~:text=The%20Blackfin%20Cisco&text=A%20salmonid%20fish%20and%20hence,a%20genus%20of%20sea%20lamprey.
Jamaica Gleaner. (2022, July 28). Overharvesting and poaching devastate Jamaica's fisheries. News | Jamaica Gleaner. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20220727/overharvesting-and-poaching-devastate-jamaicas-fisheries
Really interesting post👏👏👏👏really put things into perspective on this very crucial industry. Hopefully Jamaica can put measures in place to combat this issue.