Mapping the future of fish sustainability
September 2010

Donna Cawthorn, Food Scientist at FACTS, recently wrote for the SA Food Review on the topic of her PhD study, which she conducts at the Stellenbosch University. Donna’s project is focused on the identification of fish species in South Africa using DNA-based techniques. FACTS is pleased to include this article as a part of our newsletter:

Aristotle certainly seemed to predict the fate of the ocean’s fish stocks when he proclaimed “for that which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it”. The widespread overfishing that has occurred over the years to fulfill the insatiable human appetite has led to the collapse of numerous fish populations worldwide, leaving drastically altered marine ecosystems in its wake. Today, more than 75% of global fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited or depleted. In South Africa, many linefish have been the target of overfishing. Six of the ten most significant commercial stocks are now at critically low levels, including kabeljou (dusky and silver kob), geelbek, red stumpnose, Roman seabream and carpenter seabream.

Please see the full article here.