Cod Crisis: A Call for MPAs
By: Krutarth Gandhi
Image Source- Dave Robinson via Unsplash
What is the Issue?
Years of overfishing has depleted cod populations in the North Sea. This is not only a problem for the North Sea but also a global concern, as overfishing is reducing fish populations around the world. It is a huge lesson for all of us about the consequences of depleting our finite resources, and there is still so much we need to learn. According to the Blue Marine Foundation, the cod population in the North Sea has been reduced by 92% in the last 40 years, and the decline is still continuing because of overfishing.
Local Impact:
This is not just an issue in European waters but also here in the United States. The population of Atlantic Cod in US waters has also declined heavily over in the last few decades due to overfishing. Once one of the most iconic fish of New England, cod stocks are now at historic lows. Overfishing doesn’t only harm target species—it disrupts the entire marine ecosystem. When a species is removed, the food web gets thrown off balance. Populations of smaller species can grow too large, while larger species lose an important food source. This imbalance can force other marine species to migrate and reduce survival and reproductive rates. If the marine food web is disrupted and marine species continue to decline, the loss of biodiversity will affect ecosystems all over the planet. Overfishing is a global crisis, far more serious than most of us realize, and its impacts reach every corner of the ocean and beyond. Our federal government and fishery management councils need to work together to create and enforce Marine Protected Areas where cod and other species can recover faster.
Big Picture:
If we don’t act now, more species will go extinct, and this cycle will only continue to damage the planet. Protecting our oceans today means protecting biodiversity, stabilizing the global climate, and ensuring human survival for the future. The collapse of cod is more than just a story about one fish—it is a warning sign for the health of our oceans. If we ignore it, we risk losing not only species but also the balance that keeps our planet alive. This is the moment to pay attention, to raise our voices, and to demand stronger protections. The future of our oceans depends on what we do right now.
What You Will Do:
Impact for Oceans is meeting with the New England Fishery Management Council December 4th to make a public statement advocating for lower Atlantic Cod yields, reduced use of habitat-altering fishing gear, and protected areas for vital spawning grounds.
We ask that you continue to learn about Atlantic Cod and how our current fishing practices are impacting their populations and species as a whole. By engaging with and sharing Impact for Oceans’ content, your community can be informed and make cod-conscious decisions!
Resources:
https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/all-campaigns/bringbackbritishcod/?utm_source
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-cod
https://www.nefmc.org/library/atlantic-cod-management-transition-plan
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-how-federal-fishing-regulations-are-made
Image Source- Dave Robinson [Unsplash]