With the target species, some species are caught unintentionally. This includes endangered species like sharks, rays, and turtles. Animals’ lives intertwine with each other, where a change in one group greatly affects the other group. When animals on the top of the food chain are impacted, the species down the food chain automatically get affected too. This impact could be the size of the population, speed of growth, and their behaviors. When an imbalance in the food web is created, biodiversity loss happens and in turn affects the ocean itself. 

Thousands of jobs come from the fishing industry. For countries located near the coast, their economy depends on profit coming from the fishies. Therefore, when sea animals’ food chains decay, there is a huge consequence. For instance, in 1992, the collapse of the Grand Banks cod fishery in Canada resulted in 35,000 fishers unemployed. According to Fisheries Economics Research Unit (FERU), we are losing around 668, 479 full-time equivalent jobs from overfishing. On the other hand, fish is a vital source of protein for us humans, accounting for minimum of 20% of daily animal protein intake for more than three billion people. Fish has direct impact on our food consumption and body balance. 

Oragnizations are making efforts to stop overfishing. Marine Stwardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profitable organization working onto preserve seafoods and ocean in its best condition. Their Fisheries Standard prevents the certificated marin catch from fishing vulnerable species and ones that could change the marine ecosystem. This certificate has been widely used, with nearly fifth of the world’s marine catch has it. Another organization that is putting an effort is WWF. The organization works with 40 partners in North America—big importer of seafoods—to encourage sustainable fishing. They are also working to eradicate illegal fishing and are creating marine protected areas. 

Overfishing has impact not only to the lives beneath water but also to humans. Acknowledging the devastating damage overfishing has on earth and supporting the actions aiming for more environment friendly fishing will help. To get the foot in the door, green actions can start off small. These small actions will be a step towards making everyday lives a green living.