End of the Line’ for se ish Stocks: Scientist Third of all commercial fish stocks already collapsed, study says Lucas Chambers, The Link (Concordia University) ONTREAL (CUP)—A third of all com- mercial fish stocks have already collapsed, d by 2048, they will have gone completely, cording to a major study published in the ournal Science. The four-year study cites overfishing, cli- mate change, ocean acidification, pollution d other environmental degradation for the fish’s incapacity to properly reproduce, feed d resist disease. “We're really seeing the end of the line how,’ said Boris Worm, a marine biologist from Dalhousie University in Halifax and ead author of the study. “It’s within our life- ime. Out children will see a world without eafood if we don’t change things.” That could be a drag for Westerners fond bf shrimp cocktails, but a whole lot worse ‘or the 20 per cent of the world’s population at depends on fish protein to live. “Fish stocks naturally fluctuate in popula- ion,” the National Fisheries Institute, a trade ssociation for the seafood industry, said in a tatement. “Fisheries scientists around the world ctively manage stocks and rebuild fisheries with a low sustainable population. Over 98 ber cent of the top 10 seafood varieties that Americans eat come from sources worldwide at fisheries scientists report as fully sustain- ble.” : The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, international organization founded in Jancouver in 1977, called the statement “the hsual rhetoric from the industry.” “The fishing industry has been fuelled by orporate greed and governmental incompe- ence and the bottom line has been profit pnd not conservation,” aid Captain Paul Watson, founder and president of Sea opnewseditor@gmail.com Shepherd Conservation Society, in a state- ment. “Nothing is changing and there is no sign that the industry is considering seriouis changes to address this problem.” Worm was joined by scientists from all over the world to carry out the study, which drew data from four different sources: com- mercial catch tonnage, historical records, bio- diversity loss and catch records from protect- ed waters. The team found that data from the latter showed cause for optimism: as biodiversity returned to protected areas, fish populations just outside slowly recovered. “We should protect biodiversity,” said Carl Gustaf Lundin, head of the global marine program at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an interna- tional conservation network. “We.can see it does pay off, even in financial terms, through better fisheries yield.” But he also cautioned that poor manage- ment and destructive fishing methods, such as bottom trawling, could negate benefits from protected zones. Precedent on political will and fisheries gives ample reason for misgivings in this regard. Scientists were unanimous in blowing the whistle on the cod fisheries in Eastern Canada late last century, but were told not to cry cod. Yet they were right: The stock col- lapsed in the early 90s and it still has not recovered. Worm is concerned that a similar game is currently being played out in Europe, where politicians are systematically ignoring warn- ings to stop fishing cod in the North Sea. “T’m just amazed, it’s very irrational,” he said. WE’VE GOT and cooking... and bartending... = Access the employment grapevine for the best the food & beverage biz has to offer: € « CONCORD SECURITY CONCORD SECURITY is hiring! We want you to join our team. We have several openings at high-profile, customer service oriented sites. Part-time and full-time available. Flexible hours. Full-time and part-time security courses are available every 2 weeks. Gain the experience you need for your future career. for more information www.concordsecurity.com JOBS WAITING...