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> I'm not actually sure that many species (if any) are at risk of _extinction_ Many sharks closer to extinction than feared: Red List https://phys.org/news/20

by myshpa 3y ago

> I'm not actually sure that many species (if any) are at risk of _extinction_ Many sharks closer to extinction than feared: Red List https://phys.org/news/2019-03-sharks-closer-extinction-red.html https://phys.org/news/2019-03-sharks-closer-extinction-red.h... Overfishing puts more than one-third of all sharks, rays, and chimaeras at risk of extinction https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/overfishing-puts-more-than-one-third-of-all-sharks-rays-and-chimaeras-at-risk-of-extinction https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/overfishing-puts-more-... Overfishing is Driving Eels to Extinction https://vegnews.com/2022/9/forsea-foods-cell-technology-eels https://vegnews.com/2022/9/forsea-foods-cell-technology-eels Around a third of freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction, and 80 species have already been declared Extinct. Since 1970, mega-fish populations have crashed by 94% on average, while migratory fish populations have fallen by 76%. https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/freshwater_practice/the_world_s_forgotten_fishes/ https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/freshwater_practice... Endangered North Atlantic right whales are in 'crisis'; species approaching extinction https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/19/north-atlantic-right-wales-noaa-crisis-approaching-extinction/70429914007/ https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/19/north-a... Eating mackerel no longer sustainable, Good Fish Guide advises https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/05/mackerel-loses-sustainable-status-as-overfishing-puts-species-at-risk https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/05/mackerel... > It's fine if you don't want to eat meat. But lots of people do. Not necessary, destructive, unsustainable. > why shouldn't they just fish as much as they can And they don't? Really? They'd leave money in the ocean? > either seaweed farms or devastated ecosystems It sure looks like it.

MostlyStable 3y ago
This is a wall of text and links, most of which have nothing to do with my claims, or our discussion. I never said anything about whales or freshwater fish species. And I never claimed that _no_ fish populations are unsustainably fished, so finding a single one that is at risk is completely beside the point. The only links that are sort of relevant are talking about "risk" of extinction, and frankly, I think that's kind of meaningless. Technically, every species on earth, including humans is at some level of "risk of extinction" from one thing or another. Considering how rare marine fish species extinctions are (especially caused by humans), I personally think we should be careful using that phrase. As someone who as actually done fishery population and health assesments, I can tell you that the phrase isn't much more than PR. It doesn't have any rigorous scientific meaning. But even if that wasn't the case, the fact that some species in some places are at severe risk _still_ doesn't mean that commercial fishing everywhere is unsustainable. That's my entire point. That commercial fishing is extremely heterogenous. And it's _very_ easy to avoid bad fisheries and stick to good ones. Especially if you live in the US where _most_ fisheries are relatively sustainable managed (even more so if you stick to West Coast fisheries, which have some the best, most comprehensive and rigorous management policies on the planet). You then moved on to freshwater fishes and whales, things I never mentioned. My guess is because those things are _actually_ at risk of extinction and so your case is much stronger. Unfortunately, they also have nothing to do with marine commercial fishing. If you think that eating meat is immoral and you want people to stop for that reason, that's fine. But say that. Don't misrepresent the sustainability of commercial fishing.
- myshpa 3y ago
  > I never claimed that _no_ fish populations are unsustainably fished Warning, another wall of text ahead: Virtually empty oceans by 2048 (https://www.seaspiracy.org/facts#bgMedia_comp-kmm1uv52 https://www.seaspiracy.org/facts#bgMedia_comp-kmm1uv52) > that commercial fishing everywhere is unsustainable. That's my entire point. I never said that ALL fisheries are unsustainable. Your might be the one that isn't. One of many. > freshwater fishes and whales ... they also have nothing to do with marine commercial fishing Over 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises are killed as bycatch every year (seaspiracy.org/facts) > If you think that eating meat is immoral ... But say that I believe it's immoral to overlook the fact that our population has now reached 8 billion and to insist on consuming the same, or greater, amounts of meat in the face of environmental degradation and the very real threat of massive extinctions happening soon, especially when it isn't necessary. We're currently experiencing a massive, sixth extinction event, affecting 75% of all species, unless I'm mistaken. This process would typically take around 2.8 million years, but we're on track to accomplish it in about 100 years. And commercial fishing is imho a big part of the problem. > Don't misrepresent the sustainability of commercial fishing. "2.7 trillion fish are caught every year, 5 million every minute, studies estimate that up to 40% of all marine life caught is thrown overboard as bycatch, etc. etc." "Six out of seven species of sea turtles (i know, not fish) are either threatened or facing extinction. In the USA, 250,000 sea turtles are captured, injured or killed every year by fishing, estimated 500,000 worldwide" (see seaspiracy for sources) Your fishery practicies might be sustainable. Maybe. Time will tell. Maybe it won't matter at all.
  - MostlyStable 3y ago
    You seem to have taken the Seaspiracy video at face value and just accepting everything they say. I'm a working marine ecologist, and I can tell you that _at best_ they are twisting tihngs to the worst possible interpretation. Documentaries are not fair and balanced descriptions of reality. ALmost ever. You should take what they say with massive heaps of salt. As for "I never said ALL fisheries were unsustainable". Yes you did. When you refused to acknowledge nuance and that some of them were fine, and to not tar the entire industry with a broad brush, that was you saying that they are all bad. You can't have it both ways. You are trying to now admit nuance, when admitting nuance is all I wanted from you from the beginning. If you are willing to admit they aren't all bad and some are sustainable, then don't call the entire industry destructive. None of your links is going to get around that one fact, and none of your links are refuting it.

by myshpa 3y ago

MostlyStable 3y ago

This is a wall of text and links, most of which have nothing to do with my claims, or our discussion. I never said anything about whales or freshwater fish species. And I never claimed that _no_ fish populations are unsustainably fished, so finding a single one that is at risk is completely beside the point. The only links that are sort of relevant are talking about "risk" of extinction, and frankly, I think that's kind of meaningless. Technically, every species on earth, including humans is at some level of "risk of extinction" from one thing or another. Considering how rare marine fish species extinctions are (especially caused by humans), I personally think we should be careful using that phrase. As someone who as actually done fishery population and health assesments, I can tell you that the phrase isn't much more than PR. It doesn't have any rigorous scientific meaning. But even if that wasn't the case, the fact that some species in some places are at severe risk _still_ doesn't mean that commercial fishing everywhere is unsustainable. That's my entire point. That commercial fishing is extremely heterogenous. And it's _very_ easy to avoid bad fisheries and stick to good ones. Especially if you live in the US where _most_ fisheries are relatively sustainable managed (even more so if you stick to West Coast fisheries, which have some the best, most comprehensive and rigorous management policies on the planet). You then moved on to freshwater fishes and whales, things I never mentioned. My guess is because those things are _actually_ at risk of extinction and so your case is much stronger. Unfortunately, they also have nothing to do with marine commercial fishing. If you think that eating meat is immoral and you want people to stop for that reason, that's fine. But say that. Don't misrepresent the sustainability of commercial fishing.

myshpa 3y ago
> I never claimed that _no_ fish populations are unsustainably fished Warning, another wall of text ahead: Virtually empty oceans by 2048 (https://www.seaspiracy.org/facts#bgMedia_comp-kmm1uv52 https://www.seaspiracy.org/facts#bgMedia_comp-kmm1uv52) > that commercial fishing everywhere is unsustainable. That's my entire point. I never said that ALL fisheries are unsustainable. Your might be the one that isn't. One of many. > freshwater fishes and whales ... they also have nothing to do with marine commercial fishing Over 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises are killed as bycatch every year (seaspiracy.org/facts) > If you think that eating meat is immoral ... But say that I believe it's immoral to overlook the fact that our population has now reached 8 billion and to insist on consuming the same, or greater, amounts of meat in the face of environmental degradation and the very real threat of massive extinctions happening soon, especially when it isn't necessary. We're currently experiencing a massive, sixth extinction event, affecting 75% of all species, unless I'm mistaken. This process would typically take around 2.8 million years, but we're on track to accomplish it in about 100 years. And commercial fishing is imho a big part of the problem. > Don't misrepresent the sustainability of commercial fishing. "2.7 trillion fish are caught every year, 5 million every minute, studies estimate that up to 40% of all marine life caught is thrown overboard as bycatch, etc. etc." "Six out of seven species of sea turtles (i know, not fish) are either threatened or facing extinction. In the USA, 250,000 sea turtles are captured, injured or killed every year by fishing, estimated 500,000 worldwide" (see seaspiracy for sources) Your fishery practicies might be sustainable. Maybe. Time will tell. Maybe it won't matter at all.
- MostlyStable 3y ago
  You seem to have taken the Seaspiracy video at face value and just accepting everything they say. I'm a working marine ecologist, and I can tell you that _at best_ they are twisting tihngs to the worst possible interpretation. Documentaries are not fair and balanced descriptions of reality. ALmost ever. You should take what they say with massive heaps of salt. As for "I never said ALL fisheries were unsustainable". Yes you did. When you refused to acknowledge nuance and that some of them were fine, and to not tar the entire industry with a broad brush, that was you saying that they are all bad. You can't have it both ways. You are trying to now admit nuance, when admitting nuance is all I wanted from you from the beginning. If you are willing to admit they aren't all bad and some are sustainable, then don't call the entire industry destructive. None of your links is going to get around that one fact, and none of your links are refuting it.