Technology

It is a generally known fact that aquatic resources, especially the different variants of fish worldwide, are a vital source of both food and income. Globally, fishes are also considered as an essential source of nutrients and proteins for countless populations hence, such a resource is undoubtedly crucial in meeting food as well as nutritional demands (United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, 2010). However, it is quite possible that in the past decades and centuries, humanity did not consider the possibility of threatening the aforesaid resource due to its relative abundance. In truth however, the world s fisheries stocks are presently in danger of eventual depletion due to overexploitation specifically, as seen from Appendix A, the rise of primary resource export since the 1990s also proves the immense demand and harvest of fish throughout the world (Deere, 2000). As one may expect though, the threat of overexploitation is not equal among different variants of fish.    

Specifically, the Atlantic cod or Gadus morhua, as seen in Appendix B, is found throughout the Northern Atlantic Ocean and is also among the most sought after marine fish for the purpose of human consumption (Burton  Burton, 2002). In effect, it would be appropriate to assume that the Atlantic cod is among the marine species most affected by overexploitation. Due to decades of overexploitation, the Atlantic cods life history, population, and spawning stock distribution have been detrimentally affected. As a result, the need to develop novel and effective means of attaining sustainability has become a critical issue today. Hence, throughout the following discussion regarding the aforesaid fish species, a brief history of the problem would initially be presented. Afterwards, the implications of overexploitation would then be discussed in depth so as to provide a proper background and a sufficient basis for further analysis regarding such ensuing concerns. Subsequently, plans and methods to attain an appropriate balance in population and harvesting practices would be discussed as well.

Historically, the practice of fishing for Atlantic cod has been noted to exist even during the ancient times. In particular, Eskimos and Indians were among the pioneers of fishing throughout the Northern Atlantic (Rose, 2007). Of course, considering the area, it would be appropriate to assume that cod was among the variants of fish often caught. Eventually, as centuries passed, numerous technological improvements were made throughout the world. During the 15th century, fishing and marketing Atlantic cod became a profitable practice for those who owned European ships for exploration. As a matter of fact, harvesting such aquatic resources throughout the Atlantic, specifically in Newfoundland, even became a cause of conflict between nations (Rose, 2007). Thus, such points in history emphasize that humans indeed consider the Atlantic cod populations as a prime food resource which eventually led to an increased need for attaining a greater harvest size.

The Newfoundland eventually became a permanent fishing area and was further improved throughout the succeeding centuries. The English even made policies throughout the area as fishing for cod became a highly important part of the economy as fish was undeniably abundant throughout the area during such times (Chivian  Bernstein, 2008). Eventually however, problems surfaced as the demand for cod from the Northern Atlantic never ceased. During the 20th century, a drastic decline in harvest became apparent as numerous effects of overfishing have considerably affected the Atlantic cod in particular, the cod population not only became fewer but at the same time concerns regarding reproductive trends and survival manifested as well (Chivan  Bernstein, 2008). Thus, throughout the centuries, the actions of humans have changed the area once perceived to hold countless cods into one wherein scarcity is the common ordeal.

To further explain the concerns regarding the availability of cod throughout the Northern Atlantic, it would be necessary to discuss changes in life history, population, and spawning stock distribution. In terms of life history changes, the effects of overexploitation are rather discernible due to the presence of genetic impacts from such practice apparent repercussions upon the maturity have been identified, one of such being a decrease in length as may be seem from Appendix C (Hutchings, 2005). As a matter of fact, deviations from natural trends in maturity as brought forth by overexploitation, specifically due to the massive amounts of fish harvested and removed from the population, also lead to numerous effects which further compromise the survival of the Atlantic cod population. Specifically, among the most critical implications of an attaining an earlier age of maturity include a significant decrease in population growth and even possibly result in the occurrence of a negative population growth (Hutchings, 2005). Therefore, from such negative outcomes, effects on life history may definitely be regarded to be among the most detrimental to the Atlantic cod.

As emphasized, the Atlantic cod population both in terms of growth rate and carrying capacity has been negatively affected by the presence of overfishing throughout the Northern Atlantic especially in Newfoundland. Through scientific pursuits, it has been established that overfishing and its associated effects have led to three distinct periods of population decline throughout history such periods include the 1960s and the 1980s, wherein the population related concerns in the latter were also worsened due to shifts in the climate (Rose, 2004). Such findings coincide with the historical data on population and biomass throughout the area as may be seen from Appendix D. While actual historical data was not available and estimates were used for such aforementioned findings, it would still be appropriate to consider that the results are rather reliable and provide a distinct overview of population changes throughout the years. The presence of climate change related effects on the Atlantic cod population should also be highlighted as global warming and overexploitation are both modern day global issues.

Apart from life history and population, the presence of overexploitation or overfishing, has also considerably affected the spawning stock distribution. Specifically, as highlighted in Appendix E, the spawning stock distribution in relation to age has  considerably changed beginning from the 1950s. In contrast to the natural distribution, which has been present prior to the 1950s, majority of the spawning stock biomass shifted from older to younger parts of the Atlantic cod population (Ottersen, 2008). Expectedly, such changes would bring forth numerous repercussions in relation to the survival of the aforementioned marine fish species. The most significant of such effects would be in terms of recruitment, which may be compromised due to the potential shifts the scope and timing of the process of spawning or egg laying. However, to maintain an objective stance, of all the previously discussed effects of overexploitation, such concern over recruitment still remains to be in doubt and controversial as  certain findings indicate that recruitment is not driven by spawning stock age distribution (Ottersen, 2008). Nevertheless, considering the vital role of the Atlantic cod as a resource and finding the means to resolve the problem, it would be most appropriate to consider such possibilities and effects until entirely disproved.

Of course, the emergence of a myriad of problems would only require the development of effective plans if the Atlantic cod population would indeed be prevented from a continuous and alarming decline. A most promising approach in attaining sustainability would be through the use of an intergenerational valuation approach in relation to aquatic resources. To further explain,  such an approach highlights the fact that economic gains and stability may actually be maintained through the use of a perspective focused on sustainability instead of one which centers on the benefits of increasing the amount of fish harvested from the Atlantic (Ainsworth  Sumaila, 2005). While sustainability and enhancing economic pursuits are not often regarded to be compatible concepts, the findings from the study of Ainsworth and Sumaila prove otherwise. The use of an approach in Atlantic cod fishing based on an ecological model allows for ensuring the long-term survival of the species which results into more earnings from a long-term perspective. The economic gains from overexploitation may be more appreciable, but such actions would result in an eventual destruction of the resource (Ainsworth  Sumaila, 2005).          

Throughout the discussion, it has been proven that the concern of overexploitation in relation to the Atlantic cods is a result of historical developments. Similarly, it has also been established that numerous repercussions have manifested from such a inappropriate fishing practices. Specifically, the combination of detrimental effects in terms of life history, population, and spawning stock distribution, all of which results in the undeniably threatening outcomes to the continuous existence of the Atlantic cod both as part of marine biodiversity and as an important global resource. Hence, as also noted from the discussion, a reevaluation of contemporary means of managing the Atlantic cod population as a food resource is required if sustainability is to be achieved. Of course, the development of other solutions or means to lessen the problem would also be a beneficial endeavor for ensuring that future generations would still be able to appreciate the Atlantic cod. Therefore, to summarize such points and to conclude, it is certainly true that due to decades of overexploitation, the Atlantic cods life history, population, and spawning stock distribution have been detrimentally affected, resulting in the need to develop novel and effective means of attaining sustainability.