Sustainable Fisheries

Overfishing endangers reefs.

On healthy reefs, herbivorous fish like parrotfish and surgeonfish graze on seaweed, keeping algal growth in check. When reefs are overfished, reef systems can quickly collapse, and the fish stocks that depend on the reefs can in turn collapse. Sustainable fishing practices ensure that coral reefs, humans, and sea life can all thrive.

We develop and implement conservation strategies to protect coral reef ecosystems from the harmful effects of overfishing:

1. We conduct biological and socioeconomic studies to document the current status of fisheries and monitor changes over time.
2. We establish or expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in collaboration with governments and communities.
3. We partner with governments and communities to establish sustainable fisheries policies and practices, such as limiting the type of fishing gear to reduce bycatch or establishing spatial or seasonal closures that reduce the catch of rare species, juveniles, and spawning aggregations.
4. We increase compliance with fishing regulations by conducting law enforcement patrols, clarifying governance, and building awareness among fishers about the detrimental impacts of overfishing.
5. We address the underlying social and economic drivers of overfishing by promoting other sustainable income-generating activities such as aquaculture, agriculture, or tourism.
6. We increase stewardship for coral reefs by building community awareness about coral reef ecosystems and the threats they face.

Support CORAL

Our work ensuring coral reefs have the vibrant fish populations they need wouldn’t be possible without your support. Give today to help coral reefs survive.