With the start of the fishing season, experts state that fishing activities hold an important place both economically and culturally, and also draw attention to the environmental impacts of fishing.
Emphasizing the environmental impacts of fishing and the importance of conscious hunting, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “The effects of properly conducted fishing activities on marine pollution are quite low.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller, Head of Environmental Health Program at Üsküdar University, drew attention to the environmental impacts of fishing and emphasized the importance of conscious hunting.
Illegal fishing negatively impacts marine ecosystems…
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that fishing is one of the important sectors that has existed in our culture for centuries and is also a source of income for a certain segment of society, adding, “However, fishing, especially illegal fishing, leads to many negative consequences for marine ecosystems. Overfishing of fish and other marine products can significantly reduce the populations of these species in the seas, leading to the regional extinction of some species. Unfortunately, we have witnessed this with many different species in various regions of our country. In addition, some methods used in fishing, such as trawl nets, damage the seabed, harming not only the fish or aquatic life caught but also many other plant and animal species. During fishing activities, many species such as seabirds and sea turtles, which are not actually intended to be caught, can get entangled in nets and die. For these reasons, fishing is an activity that should be carried out carefully and in compliance with rules.”
Is there a risk of marine pollution with the lifting of the fishing ban?
Stating that “The effects of properly conducted fishing activities on marine pollution are quite low,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller continued:
“However, the condition of the boats and other equipment used in these activities plays a key role at this point. Negligence in the maintenance of fishing boats or the use of paints with negative environmental impacts on boats can cause marine pollution. Paints and some chemicals used in fishing boats can accidentally mix with seawater. These substances can lead to water pollution and negatively affect the marine ecosystem. The mixing of oils and fuels used in the engines of fishing boats with the sea can cause significant pollution. Furthermore, if fish are processed on board, the direct discharge of waste from this process into the sea is another source that can cause pollution.”
What measures can be taken to reduce marine pollution during the fishing season?
Dr. Adiller also emphasized that the most important measure to prevent marine pollution caused by fishing is to ensure proper waste management on boats, stating, “Just as in every area where humans are present and active, many different types of waste are generated on these boats and ships. The direct discharge of this waste into our seas must be prevented, and proper management must be ensured. In addition to waste management, the maintenance of fishing boats should be carried out regularly, preferably using paints and chemicals that cause the least harm to the environment, and engine oil and fuel leaks on boats should be prevented.”
Seas must be protected for fishing to be possible in the future!
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that despite our country being surrounded by seas on three sides, we cannot fully benefit from them, adding, “Especially in regions with high population and industrial facilities, the water quality of our seas is quite poor. In addition, illegal and unregulated fishing activities further challenge our marine ecosystems, which are already struggling with land-based pollution and climate change, and many fish and other aquatic species face the threat of regional extinction. We must not forget the mucilage problem caused by pollution in the Marmara Sea in recent years. We need to protect our seas so that future generations can also fish in them and eat the fish we can eat.”