South Atlantic Yellowtail Harvest To Stop This Month

In what seems a small story, today's Miami Herald noted that a US agency will stop commercial fishing of yellowtail snapper. NOAA Fisheries, the federal office responsible for the decision, determined the possibility of overfishing had reached undesirable levels. The ban will result in higher prices for the fish, popular in sushi preparations.

The larger story involves the worldwide epidemic of overfishing. Many once-rich fishing banks are now nearly destitute. As the developing world becomes increasingly prosperous, its desire for sea-based protein (i.e., fish) will only accelerate. That demand will push "market forces" toward more aggressive harvesting tactics, thus placing even more precious fishing areas in jeopardy.

NOAA Fisheries tried to do the right thing. The response from some affected Florida fishermen was to equate the agency's actions with terrorism. I suppose one could always switch to chicken.

PS. NOAA Fisheries has since changed course on its intended ban.