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Trawled deep sea fish
on brink of extinction
| Adapted from an article on www.news.bbc.co.uk Wednesday
4th January 2006 Deep sea fish species in the northern Atlantic are on the brink of extinction, new research suggests, due to deep sea trawling. Canadian scientists have found that populations of roundnose grenadier, onion-eye grenadier, blue hake, spiny eel and spinytail skate all declined spectacularly over the period 1978-1994. Populations fell by between 87% and 98% meeting the definition of 'critically endangered'. Projections show that some would be completely eliminated within three generations. Some fleets have switched to deep-sea fisheries following the collapse in more commonly-caught species such as cod. Known as bottom-trawling, ships often use heavy trawls that are dragged across the ocean floor, destroying coral and other ecosystems. Deep sea fish are highly vulnerable to such disturbance because they are slow to grow and reproduce. The researchers conclude that conservation measures are necessary, including the establishment of deep sea protected areas.
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