The Omnivore's Negative Impact On Ecosystems

“The world’s smallest porpoise is slipping closer to extinction…” (Malkin). This porpoise is called a vaquita, and they are getting run into extinction because of drift nets set for their larger cousin, called the totoaba. But, this isn’t just happening with these species, it is happening all over the world, to many different species. A drift net is a large net that is placed underwater for catching fish. Taking all of these fish out of the world’s oceans does not have a positive impact on the ecosystem. Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, talked about destroying the ecosystem through farming, but he didn’t mention how it could happen through fishing, too. Fishermen should stop using drift nets to collect fish because they can

This leads to those fish becoming endangered and even extinct. For example, "up to 2,000 of the animals were drowning in gill nets in the Gulf of Maine each year--enough to eventually wipe out the species” (Cone). Some species can’t reproduce fast enough to continue having a stable population. This leads to endangerment and eventually extinction. In addition to this, "the vaquita... become entangled in nets set for the totoaba, and drown" (Malkin). Aquatic animals, such as the vaquita, are being over caught and killed in nets that weren’t even meant for them. Most of the anglers don’t even use the vaquita that was unintentionally caught. On the other hand, "...fish is the primary source of protein for one in six people on earth” (Whitty). To stop using drift nets to collect fish would deny many people much needed foods. Even so, "Erik Anderson, who has fished New England's waters for 30 years, would haul up his gill net and occasionally discover a harbor porpoise, entangled and dying, trapped in the mesh along with his harvest of cod and flounder" (Cone). Although some people may have to find a different source of protein, the demise of drift nets will save entire

This can lead to ecosystems becoming unbalanced, and even crashing altogether. For example, "...fleets spew as much greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as the entire profligate United States” (Whitty). Ships dragging nets and catching fish are producing large amounts of gases that are harmful to the environment. Additionally, "we decimate coral reefs and kelp forests" (Whitty). Dragging nets along coral reefs does serious damage to the coral. Small fish living in the reef don’t have protection from predators, causing the predators to eat more and more and eventually run out of food. This continues on until the entire ecosystem crashes. On the contrary, "the totoaba's swim bladder is dried... and sells for as much as $10,000 per kilogram, or close to $5,000 a pound" (Malkin). Catching certain fish with drift nets can provide income for fishermen and the government. The government can use this revenue to help protect wildlife, such as setting up wildlife preserves. Then again, "after the expert panel, known as the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita, estimated in 2014 that the number of vaquitas had fallen to 97 from about 570 in 1997" (Malkin). The money earned from drift nets is nothing compared to the fate of an entire species. Plus, taking all of these fish out of the ocean takes a serious toll on the ecosystem; catching predators and letting prey overpopulate, or catching to much prey and letting