Living resources

Marine fisheries still provide by far the most important source of wild protein. Subsistence communities around the world depend on them, some exclusively. Fish, molluscs and crustaceans are the major food sources, although marine algae is important, particularly in the Far East, both as food and a source of medicines. More than 120 million people throughout the world are estimated to depend on fish for all or part of their incomes.

But overharvesting combined with pollution and other environmental stresses have caused fish stocks around the world to collapse. Some 70% of major fish stocks are estimated to be overexploited or in danger of being so.

Attempts to control overfishing have been largely unsuccessful. Moreover, some fishing methods, including dredging, trawling, dynamite fishing, have been very disruptive to marine habitats. Excessive bycatch of non-target species have decimated populations of marine mammals.

Climate change is expected to have severe impacts on many marine species, especially those which are particularly affected by increased sea temperatures and changing current patters, either directly or through their prey species. Species which feed in the polar regions – such as whales – could be at particular risk, since this is where the greatest changes are expected to occur.

Regional Seas forged a close working relationship with the FAO fisheries department from the beginning of the Mediterranean Action Plan, through a pioneering programme of research, monitoring and assessment of pollutants and their effects on marine life.

Today several Regional Seas carry out activities related to the threats to marine resources and the people who depend on them.