With the pandemic raging in the United States, there is a new threat to the fresh fish. With people taking on new hobbies that are outdoors to pass the time, is now having severe consequences in the environment. The Fish species have declined by 75 percent in less than 50 years. (Price, 2020). According to David Smith, a Florida Fish and Wildlife officers said, "the fish population decreases due to farm pesticides going into the rivers. The increases in pesticides from the dust croppers are being absorbed into the soil and soaking into the aquafers." He also told said "that the current situation of overfishing currently is at an all-time high as usual activities are suspended. There is also the problem that there is farm fishing. If this continues, people could have a huge problem on their hands."
Nearly half of the world's more than 30,000 fish species live in freshwater,and many of them—perhaps most—migrate between habitats for breeding and feeding. Some, such as salmon, move from the sea into rivers to spawn; others, such as the European eel, mature in freshwater but breed in the ocean. With migratory fish endangered, they serve a wide range of functions of ecosystems; this includes transportation of essential nutrients and larvae from one place to another. This is very important to the ecosystem and could hurt us ultimately. The Sturgeon population in Europe is currently 90 percent down since 1970. If this continues, this means that the Sturgeon population could be extinct within two years. The thought of an entire community of fish extinct is scary. (Guenard & Sartore, 2020)
The positive thing that has occurred during COVID 19 is that commercial fishing has slowed down. With the slowdown of fresh fish commercial fishing, some of the fish population will have a chance to repopulate. The strike, however, does affect the economy and the sale of fish. This will affect the cultures that thrive on fish, for dietary needs. The positive aspect of this shutdown is that fish will be able to go through their spawn cycle. Once the fisheries are open, and fisherman is back on the water, the fish will be more populated. Scientists are taking advantage of the slowdown to study the fish's patterns to better help and protect the migration of fresh fish. This timing is going to help everyone in a better world.
Farmers are working with scientists to develop ways to use pesticides that will not hurt the environment; this includes fish and water sources. In some European countries, the heavy use of pesticides is against the law. Farmers in the United States are making strides in protecting the environment. For instance, there has been an increase in aquaponics and the use of renewable resources. The Farming industry is the highest contributor to water pollution in the world. The idea that farmers around the world could potentially rescue the migrating fish is a game-changer. The Farmers could be the superheroes that could rescue not only a species of fish, but they could save a livelihood.
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