Environmentalists fear sardine fishery crash could threaten West Coast ecosystem

[unhappycamper]

http://www.adn.com/2014/01/09/3266214/environmentalists-fear-sardine.html



Corbin Hanson and others who fish off California for sardines have been hit in the pocketbook by reduced numbers. Scientists say dwinding sardine schools are affecting other animals, such as pelicans, who dine on the energy-rich fish.

Environmentalists fear sardine fishery crash could threaten West Coast ecosystem
By TONY BARBOZA
Los Angeles Times
January 9, 2014 Updated 9 hours ago

LOS ANGELES -- The sardine fishing boat Eileen motored slowly through moonlit waters from San Pedro to Santa Catalina Island, its weary-eyed captain growing more desperate as the night wore on. After 12 hours and $1,000 worth of fuel, Corbin Hanson and his crew returned to port without a single fish.

"Tonight's pretty reflective of how things have been going," Hanson said. "Not very well."

To blame is the biggest sardine crash in generations, which has made schools of the small, silvery fish a rarity on the West Coast. The decline has prompted steep cuts in the amount fishermen are allowed to catch, and scientists say the effects are probably radiating throughout the ecosystem, starving brown pelicans, sea lions and other predators that rely on the oily, energy-rich fish for food.

If sardines don't recover soon, experts warn, the West Coast's marine mammals, seabirds and fishermen could suffer for years.

[OnlinePoker]

1. If there's been a crash, why are they still fishing?

You would think being responsible stewards of the resource, they would stay off the water and let the sardines try to recover somewhat.

[hunter]

2. Wouldn't it be great if fish were protected like birds?

One can dream...

You want to eat a sardine? Get yourself a fishing license, hire a boat, and catch it yourself.

I'm not allowed to shoot the geese in the park and sell them to the supermarket.

Why should it be any different for fish?