Shao Kwang-Tsao
Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128, Sec. 2, Academia Rd., Taipei, Taiwan.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2009;18(4):527-31.
Marine fish is one of the most important sources of animal protein for human use, especially in developing countries with coastlines. Marine fishery is also an important industry in many countries. Fifty years ago, many people believed that the ocean was so vast and so resilient that there was no way the marine environment could be changed, nor could marine fishery resources be depleted. Half a century later, we all agree that the depletion of fishery resources is happening mainly due to anthropogenic factors such as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species introduction, and climate change. Since overfishing can cause chain reactions that decrease marine biodiversity drastically, there will be no seafood left after 40 years if we take no action. The most effective ways to reverse this downward trend and restore fishery resources are to promote fishery conservation, establish marine-protected areas, adopt ecosystem-based management, and implement a "precautionary principle." Additionally, enhancing public awareness of marine conservation, which includes eco-labeling, fishery ban or enclosure, slow fishing, and MPA (marine protected areas) enforcement is important and effective. In this paper, we use Taiwan as an example to discuss the problems facing marine biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.
海鱼是人类获取动物蛋白的最重要来源之一，尤其是在有海岸线的发展中国家。海洋渔业在许多国家也是一项重要产业。五十年前，许多人认为海洋如此广阔且具有很强的恢复力，以至于海洋环境不可能被改变，海洋渔业资源也不会枯竭。半个世纪后，我们都认同渔业资源枯竭主要是由过度捕捞、栖息地破坏、污染、引入外来物种以及气候变化等人为因素造成的。由于过度捕捞会引发连锁反应，大幅降低海洋生物多样性，如果我们不采取行动，40年后将无海鲜可捕。扭转这种下降趋势并恢复渔业资源的最有效方法是促进渔业保护、建立海洋保护区、采用基于生态系统的管理方式以及实施“预防原则”。此外，提高公众对海洋保护的认识也很重要且有效，这包括生态标签、禁渔或设围、慢速捕捞以及加强海洋保护区执法。在本文中，我们以台湾为例，探讨海洋生物多样性和可持续渔业所面临的问题。
