Carl Safina's "Song for the Blue Ocean" and Pacific fisheries collapse

Managing Fisheries and How Perceptions Affect the Management of Ecosystem Services Provided by Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean

Carl Safina is the host of the Public Broadcasting Service 'Saving the Ocean" and as well has written several books and at focus in this work is the book of Safina entitled "Song for the Blue Ocean." Safina emphasizes how the oceans are the last and dying unconquered territories on earth. Safina brings to the attention of the reader that threats that are caused to the oceans in the name of progress and growth for the human race.

Safina's Book

Safina's book reports a truth seeking mission as he traveled the world's oceans. Safina relates in his book that "the scientists grossly underestimate the numbers" of bluefin tuna in the northern Atlantic and relates that the "legendary great shoals of cod…along the Grand Banks of Canada…have been decimated, causing the government of Canada to spend the once vast cod fishing industry." (nd, p. 1) Safina also relates how the salmon on the Pacific coast are dying off reported as "victims of silted rivers, dams and overfishing." (nd, p. 1) IN addition it is related by Safina that sharks, and rays as well as swordfish and skates are greatly reduced in numbers in the deep waters of the Pacific ocean. Safina states that the farmers or fisherman cannot be held to blame in totality since "water transfers, ocean temperatures, toxic pollutants, timbering…" as well as other such environmental destroying activities of human beings are also to blame. Safina relates that in many nations in the Pacific that fish are caught by using cyanide poison which kills the fish and the coral reefs which are extremely fragile not to mention the harm caused to the ecosystem that is the most endangered in the entire world.

II. Different Views

There are naturally different views or perspectives of the oceans since some individuals, families and groups are highly dependent on the world's ocean for the livelihood and many of these are individuals who fish to earn pay to take care of their family. However, all too often, those who are in reality the most dependent on the world's ocean to survive are doing the most to destroy what they so depend upon. Safina presents facts in hi8s book that grasp the attention of the reader and in some cases that motivate the reader to ensure that others come to understand what is happening to the oceans of the world.

IV. More than Two Sides to the Story

The statement that there are always two sides to every story does not encompass the many views and perspectives of those involved and affected by the activities of the fishing industries. While certainly conservationists and fisheries are at odds, Safina relates an example of other opposing views relating the Montauk Captains and Boatmen's association president, Joe McBride who has time and again requested the reduction in the number of young bluefin tuna that the Fisheries Services allows each boat to kill per day. However, in this case, McBride is not actually a conservationist but instead, he owns a fishing charter boat and he simply wants the fishing season to last until the migration of the fish for winter but since the limitation has not been put in place, the quota for the season is reached at the height of the season and then the fishing season abruptly ends as does his fishing charter income.

Summary and Conclusion

This example clearly demonstrates that the views and perspectives on the oceans and the life they support are varied and diverse however, there is one undeniable thing that all views and perspectives have in common whether they acknowledge it as such or whether they fail to acknowledge the fact that without the oceans and the life supported by the living oceans, the human race would soon perish as well. That one fact alone should be the common thread that binds all individuals, activities, industries and livelihoods into a common cause and that being doing the least ecological and environmental damage to the world's oceans possible. It is this precise message that Safina so eloquently and passionately relates in his work on the world's oceans. The truth is that there are signs that it may already be too late for many of the ocean's species of fish and marine animals.