Fish and Fisheries

Our Work On Fish and Fisheries

Overview

The oceans are home to an untold number of species, including some of Earth’s most awe-inspiring creatures. According to the World Register of Marine Species, as of late 2025, over 249,000 marine species have been identified and scientifically accepted. Although no one knows for certain, scientists estimate that there could be up to 25 million marine species yet to be discovered. However, harmful and unsustainable fishing operations pose a serious threat to the ocean’s biodiversity.

Modern fishing techniques are disturbing many parts of an interlocking biological system that connects estuaries, coastal zones, continental shelves and banks, and the deep ocean. Too many fish are being caught in ways that are destroying natural habitats, wiping out key parts of the marine food chain, changing species balance, and degrading water quality. The consequent disruption of biological balance in aquatic ecosystems is critically impairing the natural ability of fish to survive and reproduce.

Modern technologies in fishing practices—including bigger nets, longer lines, and larger fleets, coupled with inadequate oversight by many commercial fishing nations and international organizations charged with overseeing these activities—have contributed to the depletion of the world’s oceans and changed the landscape and balance of the marine environment so drastically that many species now face extinction.

Fishing Methods
Most fishing methods have the potential to negatively impact marine life and ecosystems, depending on how and where the gear is used. Some of the most destructive methods include the use of gillnets, purse seines, longlines, trawls, and the lines associated with pot and trap gear. Practices such as shark finning are particularly destructive, not to mention horrifically cruel. Although banned in many places, some fishers continue to use dynamite to stun entire schools of fish, wreaking havoc on the surrounding environment and associated marine life. Read more about fishing methods.

Bycatch and Entanglement
Bycatch is one of the greatest conservation threats to marine wildlife populations and ocean ecosystems globally. Bycatch typically occurs due to destructive and indiscriminate use of commercial fishing gear such as longlines, gillnets, and trawls. Bycatch is contributing significantly to the global decline in many marine wildlife populations, including sharks, marine mammals, and sea turtles. Read more about bycatch and entanglement.

Alternative Fishing Methods
AWI supports the adoption of alternative fishing gear and practices that reduce bycatch of marine wildlife, including seasonal restrictions and gear modifications—such as TEDs, circle hooks, and on-demand gear—that allow fisheries to operate while minimizing harm to nontarget species. One particularly promising innovation is ropeless, or on-demand, gear, which eliminates the vertical lines that frequently entangle large whales. Read more about alternative fishing methods.

Seafood Labeling and Certifications
Seafood eco-certifications are intended to signal to consumers that seafood products meet certain sustainability and animal welfare standards, but definitions and compliance standards vary from label to label, and even certified fisheries can be problematic. Hundreds of certification schemes now exist worldwide, each with varying criteria. Many certifications still allow fisheries to harm endangered species or ignore welfare considerations of nontarget and target marine species. AWI pushes for stronger, more transparent standards and encourages consumers to seek out eco-label standards and demand more comprehensive protections for marine life. Read more about seafood labeling and certification.

Sharks

Each year, approximately 100 million sharks die at the hands of humans, with at least half of that number targeted in fisheries, and the remainder perishing as bycatch. This is happening at a much faster rate than sharks can repopulate. Sharks mature slowly, have slow reproductive rates, and produce few offspring—all of which make them highly vulnerable to extinction. Read more about sharks.

Aquaculture
Farming of fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, and algae—has existed for millennia but is now the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the world, with production tripling in the past two decades. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture production now exceeds that of wild-catch fisheries. Supporters claim fish farming will transform the world’s food system and serve as a sustainable solution for feeding a growing world population. However, such rapid growth in production means that significant animal welfare and environmental ramifications have largely been ignored by an increasingly industrialized aquaculture sector. Read more about aquaculture.