Why do we overfish
Fish Farming is growing at a pace of 11% each year. Aquaculture is going to be a very hungry animal and will need very big amount of marine-based protein and oil. To produce large amounts of fish for sale the fish need to be fed large amounts of other fish. At the moment Fish Farming takes 70% of the worlds fish oil supply.
Krill has a special value for Salmon Farmers as they have Astaxinthin-a carotenoid that makes the salmon turn that pinky colour. Drug companies say that Krill has chemicals that fix a variety of human illnesses and diseases. For example, heart disease, premenstrual tension and skin cancer. People are looking for krill based medication. This will make krill the next threatened marine species.
While the southern ocean krill fishery is still getting started, some scientists are saying that Patagonian Toothfish catches are already at unsustainable levels.
One single fish from a slow maturing species that can only breed when they have reached the age of 10, can sell for $1000.00 US.
Some of the newer fishing techniques cause additional destruction by mistake. They ruin reefs and completely alter the natural habitat of marine life by dragging nets along the bottom of the sea stripping fish, seaweeds and shell fish alike from the ocean floor.