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Overfishing Research Paper

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Overfishing Research Paper
Muizenberg Beach, located about 25 kilometers south of Cape Town, South Africa, is an expansive, white beach with bright blue water and mountains in the background. The shore is gently sloping, with flat, hard sand and moderate waves. Muizenberg Beach is one of the most breathtaking places in all of South Africa. However, here, paradise is not always guaranteed and can disappear in a moment. Recently, a young lifeguard was violently attacked a great white shark. Achmat Hassiem, a 24 year-old lifeguard was watching his brother swim in the water when he saw a great white shark swim towards him. Hassiem courageously sprinted into the water, trying to get the shark 's attention. The 13-foot shark quickly turned around, swam towards Hassiem, bit into him, pulled him underwater, and savagely bit his foot off (Calvert). This kind of incident is not the only occurrence where a shark has attacked someone. In fact, these incidents have been happening all around the world. Paul Botha, a long-time surfer believes overfishing is the factor that is causing sharks to attack humans because it deprives sharks of food. However, shark attacks are only one problem that overfishing creates.
One of the additional problems caused by overfishing is diminished food supply for animals and humans. This hurts the marine ecosystem of oceans and seas all around the globe, which in turn directly impacts human nutrition. Overfishing has increased greatly over the past decade (Nuttal 1). According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, "over 70% of the world 's fish species are either fully exploited or depleted" (Nuttal 1). This problem will continue if people around the world do not change their ways soon to prevent extinction of all of the fish in our planet 's waters. Overfishing of the world 's oceans is rapidly destroying sea life, all of which act as renewable natural resources. As a result, the destruction of such natural resources negatively impacts the quality of


Cited: Black, Richard. " 'Only 50 years left ' for sea fish." BBC News Science/Nature ‘Only 50 years left ' for sea fish. 2 Nov. 2006. BBC. 3 Feb. 2007 . "Bush Signs Fishing Legislation." ESPN.com: Outdoors : Bush Signs Fishing Legislation Calvert, Scott. "Are We Creating Killer Sharks?" Irish Times [Ireland] 31 Oct. 2006. Points of View Refrence Center. EBSCO. 20 Mar. 2007 . "Cape Town Information." Shark Attack on Achmat Hassiem. 14 Aug. 2006. 29 Mar. 2007 . Clover, Charles. The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat. Vol. 170. 2006. Britannica Online School Edition. 2006. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 12 Apr. 2007 . Harder, Ben. Science and Society. Britannica Online School Edition. 17 May 2003. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 12 Apr. 2007 . Nuttall, Nick. "Overfishing: a threat to marine biodiversity." Overfishing: a threat to marine biodiversity. 29 Jan. 2007 . "Overfishing." Overfishing - Defending Our Oceans "Overfishing Threatens Food Security:." It Can 't Go On Forever. Greepeace International. 11 A Apr. 2007 . Sartore, Darlene. "Consumer Benefits." Benefits of Essential Protein! MotherSoy Distributor. 9 Apr. 2007 . "WWF - Problems: Poorly Managed Fishing." Problems: Poorly Managed Fishing. 24 Mar. 2006. WWF. 11 Apr. 2007 .
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