Final answer:
The issue with the volume of fish being caught and killed is due to overharvesting, which threatens large marine species and leads to the destruction of ecosystems. The conflict between sustainability and economic demands results in complex management challenges. Overexploitation spurred by the tragedy of the commons ensues in the absence of effective regulation, causing significant ecological and economic consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The problem with how much fish is caught and killed centers around the concept of overharvesting, which leads to the depletion of large-bodied marine and freshwater species. Commercial fishing practices and the global demand for high-value fish parts, such as shark fins, contribute significantly to this decline. As these larger species become scarce, fishers 'fish down the food chain,' targeting smaller species and thereby altering marine ecosystems. This phenomenon is evident in the 90% decline of regional shark populations and the overfishing of Bluefin tuna, which dropped by 80%. Regulatory measures are in place, but the tragedy of the commons often leads to insufficient restraints, resulting in catastrophic outcomes for the ecology and the economy.
The balance between sustainability and economic interests is a continuous struggle, as the fishing industry and environmentalists argue over fishing limits, with the former concerned about their livelihoods and the latter worried about species conservation. The management of fisheries involves scientists, politicians, and other stakeholders to prevent overfishing, but global fish harvests need to increase to maintain current consumption levels, potentially through aquaculture, which has its own environmental impacts.
The problem has economic and political dimensions, as most fisheries are common resources, and without proper regulation, overexploitation is likely. Marine fisheries, such as the western Atlantic cod fishery, have collapsed despite being monitored due to the introduction of modern technology and a lack of ownership, leading to the tragedy of the commons. Ensuring fisheries' futures requires rules to keep them as sustainable sources of food and income for coming generations.