Editor’s Note: From CRE Brazil

The population of some preferred fish for consumption, like cod, tuna and grouper – considered predatory – decreased by two thirds in the last century. The conclusion is part of a project presented by researchers from the Center for Fishing at the University of British Columbia in the U.S..

The study shows how the fishing industry influences the breakdown in the marine-life food chain. “Without large predators, small fish become abundant,” explained Professor Villy Christensen, who coordinated the research. Another piece of data that has a strong impact is that the decline of predatory species has increased in the last 40 years. This is because smaller fish are processed as flour or oil and used as feed for fish in captivity.