Poaching of Endangered Marine Animals

In 1969 and 1972 acts were passed which purpose it is to conserve endangered species and marine mammals, and to prevent these species from being used by mankind for either consumption, commercial use, or their retail value. Under these acts federal agencies are required to put into place programs that conserve not only the species but their habitats also. So what about spear fishing? With the growing number of scuba divers each year there has been a resurgence in the popularity of spear fishing and this has brought into question whether we should participate in such an activity and how to monitor it.

Spear fishing is well established worldwide and has in fact remained the way of catching fish in some of the under-developed countries. Spear fishing started as a necessity – to feed your family, many thousands of years ago, when man sharpened a stick and ventured into the streams and rivers. Now, however, spear fishing has been modernized and divers are more apt to use a spear gun. Divers can also join or start clubs, which organize regular competitions. But are spear fishermen more likely to be involved in poaching of endangered marine animals or of causing a particular species to be overfished? It would seem no more likely that being a spear fisherman would decrease numbers than being a recreational line fisherman. But there are rules and regulations that govern the practice of spear fishing and each country, each state, will have their own. It is up to the participant to acquaint themselves with what these rules and regulations are.

Until relatively recent, mankind viewed the ocean as some vast, endlessly productive fishing hole. Because we knew so little about life in the sea we had no comprehension about the fish and animals in it and how their numbers were maintained. But it has become apparent that due to our insatiable appetite for seafood and our ignorance, many species are on the verge of extinction. Governments around the world have had to take stock and pass laws that regulate the amount of fishing we can do and of what species.

However, there are still those who either (due to poverty or greed) continues to fish endangered species. Japan still hunt and catch whales - under the guise of "research". In Indonesia poaching of sea turtles is still going strong and the recipient of this is Bali where the demand is high. Poachers who are caught with a sea turtle are liable to a prison term of 5yrs and fine of 100,000,000 rupiah.

But it isn't just in far off countries that the poaching goes on - in 2008 a commercial fisherman in the Florida Keys was arrested and charged with poaching 6000 spiny lobster. This is thousands over the bag limit and had a value of approximately thirty thousand dollars. Taking advantage of the busy season the fisherman used pots that damaged the coral reefs and other sensitive habitats. Again, this fisherman is subject to up to 5yrs in prison, a heavy fine and the possible confiscation of his boat.

What can we do to prevent this kind of disregard for the welfare of the ocean? Education is a huge tool and has been shown to have results in developing countries. With the realization that the world's largest supply of protein is fast disappearing and that a way of life will soon come to an end, scores of fishermen are on board with the effort to control the quantity we take from the sea.

However, due to the value of some marine creatures and the demand for them, it is also necessary to impose harsher penalties with increased jail time, heftier fines and the confiscation of equipment that allows them to participate in illegal practices.