Carl Safina

In many regions of the world, people depend on fishing to survive, yet overfishing has made many fisheries nonsustainable, claims Carl Safina in the following viewpoint. Rather than discontinue wasteful fishing practices, fishers have increased their fleets and improved their fishing technology, which has further depleted fish populations, argues Safina. Unfortunately, Safina contends, governments tend to focus on short-term economic solutions to protect fishermen rather than long-term solutions that promote sustainable fishing. Safina, who once served on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, is director of the Living Oceans Program at the National Audubon Society and author of Song for the Blue Ocean.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Safina, in what ways will aquaculture increase habitat loss and degradation?
2. In the author’s opinion...