America's Favorite Fish Could Be in Serious Trouble

America's favorite fish, the walleye, is in trouble. According to a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, overfishing and climate change are rapidly impacting the sustainability of walleye populations across the Great Lakes basin.

The study found that walleye populations in all five Great Lakes have declined by an average of 58% since the late 1970s. In addition, warmer water temperatures due to climate change are making it difficult for walleye to reproduce, putting their future at risk.

Overfishing is also having a negative impact on walleye populations. Commercial and recreational fishermen are targeting larger and older fish, which can significantly reduce the overall stock size.

In light of these findings, it is clear that we need to take action to protect America's favorite fish. We need to ensure that fishing regulations are properly enforced and that we are doing everything we can to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Walleye may not be as flashy as some of the other popular sport fish in our lakes, but they are a vital part of our ecosystem and deserve our protection. Let's make sure that we don't lose this iconic species before it's too late.

Tuna industry calls for fishing moratorium to save species

Commercial tuna fishing could be banned for up to ten years in order to save the species from commercial extinction, according to a proposal made by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). The trade group's proposal calls for a moratorium on fishing bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, as well as tighter regulations on the fishing industry.

Bluefin tuna populations have declined by more than 97 percent since the 1950s, and there are now only about 30,000 bluefin tuna remaining in the wild, according to ISSF. The trade group says that a moratorium is needed to give the species a chance to recover.

"The objective is not to end tuna fisheries but allow these depleted stocks time to rebuild, under appropriate management," Dr. Daniel Pauly, co-founder of ISSF, said in a statement. Pauly added that tighter regulation of the fishing industry is also needed to prevent overfishing of other fish populations.

The proposal was welcomed by conservationists, who say that it is long overdue. "This gives us a fighting chance for this iconic species," Amanda Nickson, director of global tuna conservation at Pew Charitable Trusts, told Reuters. "It should have been done many years ago."

However, not everyone is in favor of the proposed moratorium. The tuna industry has criticized the plan, saying that it will lead to job losses andeconomic hardship for fishermen.

"A blanket moratorium would be devastating to thousands of European fishermen and their families who depend on this fishery for their livelihoods, and do nothing to improve the status of bluefin tuna stocks," European Union Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella said in a statement.

Vella added that the EU Commission supports efforts to improve sustainability in the tuna industry but does not support a moratorium on fishing.

95% of tunas caught are from exhausted populations

The ocean is in trouble. According to a study recently published in the journal Science, 95% of the world's tuna populations are either overfished or depleted. This means that if current fishing rates continue, all commercially important stocks of tuna could be gone within a few decades.

The main culprit behind this depletion is tuna fishing. Tuna are a valuable commodity, and as a result, they are one of the most heavily fished fish in the ocean. In fact, tuna fishing has doubled over the past decade, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Unfortunately, tuna fishing is not very sustainable. Tuna are caught using large nets that scoop up everything in their path, including juvenile tuna and other fish that are not targeted. This indiscriminate fishing leads to widespread depletion of marine life and threatens the health of our oceans.

What can we do to save our oceans? The first step is to reduce our consumption of tuna. There are plenty of other healthy and sustainable seafood options available, so there is no need to eat tuna every week.

We also need to make sure that we only buy sustainably caught tuna. Luckily, there are plenty of labeling programs out there that can help us make informed decisions about which tuna products are sustainable. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Seafood Watch program are two good examples.

Finally, we need to demand more responsible fisheries management from our governments. Fishing quotas and other measures need to be based on scientific data and take into account the health of our oceans. If we don't act now, we could lose some of our most iconic species, including tuna, forever.

Greenpeace releases tuna report amid industry criticism

The environmental group Greenpeace has released a report accusing the tuna industry of overfishing and failing to protect vulnerable species. The report comes amid criticism from the industry, which says Greenpeace is pushing its own agenda.

Greenpeace's "Caught in the Net" report says that although nearly all of the world's tuna is caught by just ten companies, most of these businesses are not doing enough to ensure sustainability.

According to the report, less than one percent of tuna is caught using sustainable methods. It also accuses some companies of engaging in "illegal and destructive fishing practices," such as using destructive fishing gear and targeting juvenile fish.

The tuna industry has pushed back against the report, with representatives saying that Greenpeace is promoting its own agenda rather than working collaboratively to improve sustainability.

"We believe that Greenpeace could have had a much more productive role if it had chosen to partner with us rather than spending so much time attacking our sector," said Tony Long, director of WWF's global seafood programme.

Greenpeace has responded by saying that it tried to work with the industry but was rebuffed. The group also says that it believes tuna can be sustainably caught, but only if businesses adopt better practices.

Is your tuna sustainable? Check the label

With more people becoming aware of the issues surrounding seafood sustainability, they are looking for options that have minimal impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are plenty of sustainable tuna options available.

However, not all tuna is created equal. Some tuna is caught using methods that harm other marine animals and ecosystems. So, how can you know if your tuna is sustainable?

The best way to determine sustainability is to check the label. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) both have certification programs for sustainable seafood. If a product is certified as sustainable by one of these organizations, it means that the tuna was caught or farmed using methods that have a minimal impact on the environment.

Tuna products that are not certified as sustainable may still be okay to eat, but you should do some research to make sure. Some sustainable tuna options include canned light tuna, skipjack tuna, and yellowfin tuna. Albacore tuna is typically not considered sustainable because it is caught using purse seine nets, which can harm other marine animals.

If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative to canned tuna, try canned salmon instead. Salmon is a much more sustainable option than tuna, and it's also a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.