Urgent Call to Protect Seabed Resources
The renowned naturalist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, has highlighted the critical need for conservation of the world’s oceans and the urgent requirement to protect seabed resources. According to a report, Attenborough’s latest production, the film Ocean, sheds light on the devastating impact of overfishing, falling fish stocks, and the collapse of fisheries. The film features striking sequences of the damage caused by bottom trawling and dredging on the seabed and the marine life it supports.
As noted by the Irish Independent’s Wexford edition, Attenborough is a leading advocate for biodiversity conservation globally. In his earlier work, he focused on presenting the wonders of the natural world to his wide audience, with the hope that people would understand the urgent need for nature conservation. However, he later took a more vocal approach, condemning the ongoing destruction of the natural world and supporting the protection of our environment.
The publication reported that Attenborough’s film Ocean explores a novel solution to improving fishing by banning fishing altogether in certain areas, known as ‘no take areas’. These areas are strictly protected, where all forms of fishing are banned, and no exploitation of the seas’ resources is allowed. Evidence shows that in no take areas, the seabed recovers naturally, marine life flourishes, and fish begin to multiply.
According to the Irish Independent’s Wexford edition, the concept of no take areas may seem counterintuitive, but it has a significant benefit. As the fish population increases in the no take area, fish colonise areas beyond the boundaries of the protected area, a process known as spillover. This leads to improved fishing in areas where fishing is permitted, making no take areas a valuable tool for sustainable fisheries management.
The publication also noted that Ireland is one of the last maritime countries in Europe without legislation on marine protected areas and no take areas. Legislation was promised in 2022, with the expectation that it would pass speedily through both houses of the Oireachtas during 2023. However, that did not happen, and we are promised that the Bill will be published later this year.
In order for fishers to continue to enjoy the benefits of full nets of fish in the future, it is essential that fisheries be managed in a sustainable way today. As reported by the Irish Independent’s Wexford edition, Sir David Attenborough’s film Ocean serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need to protect seabed resources and the importance of sustainable fisheries management.
The establishment of no take areas and marine protected areas is crucial for the long-term health of our oceans. As the Irish Independent’s Wexford edition highlighted, it is essential that the Irish government prioritises the passage of legislation on marine protected areas and no take areas to ensure the sustainable management of our fisheries and the protection of seabed resources for future generations.
