Why does the most cited fisheries scientist in the world call modern fisheries a global Ponzi scheme?

Welcome to part two of our dive into the future of oceans, where my focus is still on the pathways we can take to preserve ocean ecosystems and fisheries for the future, but this time I’m putting my questions to Daniel Pauly.

Daniel is Professor of the Institute of Oceans and Fisheries  at the University of British Columbia, and Principal Investigator of the Sea Around Us Project, winner of the 2023 Tyler Prize (likened to the Nobel prize for environmental achievement) and author or co-author, over his distinguished career, of more than 1,000 science papers, articles, books and book chapters. 

And he does NOT pull punches.

In this brutally honest conversation about the state of our oceans and the impact of modern fishing practices, Daniel speaks plainly about:

• The beginnings of the technological “War on Fish” in 1880
• Current trajectory for overfishing
• The absurdity of having one-third of commercial fishing value subsidized, allowing unprofitable operations to continue despite dwindling stocks, and how ending subsidies would be a giant step towards a fix
• Marine sanctuaries: government promises versus inaction, and how modern technology could easily enforce regulations
• Distinctions between sustainable versus highly destructive forms of aquaculture
• The devastating ecological consequences of changing ocean currents 
• Why deep-sea mining is so dangerous

Take a moment to meditate on Daniel’s insights, then share them. Our oceans are so vastly important to our future, and yet most people spend NO time thinking about them.  

Daniel advocates joining organizations fighting for systemic change on ocean use. All the technology to preserve our oceans exists. The solutions are clear. What we need more of is the will to implement them.

======

As always, additional commentary and takeaways and the full transcript will be on the Future Bites page soon. More on my work as a Futurist Speaker, and why I do what I do, at www.brucemccabe.com