The Ocean’s Bounty Diminishing: UN Experts Sound Alarm on Declining Fish Stocks
Nice, France – June 11, 2025 – The familiar saying, “plenty of fish in the sea,” is becoming an increasingly outdated and concerning notion, according to a stark assessment from United Nations experts meeting in Nice. A new report, presented today, highlights the urgent need to address the alarming decline in global fish populations, a trend driven by the multifaceted pressures of climate change and unsustainable fishing practices.
The United Nations News Centre reported on the findings, emphasizing that the vitality of our oceans and the livelihoods that depend on them are under severe threat. The experts convened at the event, hosted in the picturesque city of Nice, painted a clear picture: the abundance that once characterized marine ecosystems is rapidly eroding.
At the heart of the issue lies the pervasive impact of climate change. Rising ocean temperatures, a direct consequence of increased greenhouse gas emissions, are fundamentally altering marine habitats. Many fish species are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and as waters warm, they are forced to migrate to cooler regions, disrupting established ecosystems and impacting the predictability of catches for fishing communities.
Furthermore, ocean acidification, another symptom of climate change, poses a significant threat. As the oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, their pH levels decrease, making it more difficult for shellfish and other marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons to survive and grow. This has a cascading effect throughout the food web, impacting the availability of prey for larger fish.
Compounding these climate-driven changes are persistent issues of overfishing. Despite efforts to regulate the fishing industry, many fish stocks are still being exploited at rates that exceed their natural capacity to replenish. Destructive fishing methods further exacerbate the problem, damaging marine environments and indiscriminately catching non-target species.
The UN experts underscored the critical interconnectedness of these issues. Climate change weakens fish populations, making them even more vulnerable to the pressures of overfishing. This double-edged sword is leading to a significant reduction in the biomass available for sustainable harvesting.
The implications of these declining fish stocks are far-reaching. For billions of people worldwide, fish represent a vital source of protein and income. Coastal communities, in particular, rely heavily on fisheries for their economic survival and cultural heritage. The continued degradation of marine resources threatens food security, exacerbates poverty, and can lead to social instability.
The report serves as a critical call to action, urging a renewed commitment to both mitigating climate change and implementing robust, science-based fisheries management. This includes transitioning to more sustainable fishing gear and practices, reducing bycatch, and establishing and effectively managing marine protected areas. Crucially, a global effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions is essential to slow the pace of ocean warming and acidification.
The message from Nice is clear: the era of taking marine abundance for granted is over. Urgent, collective action is required to safeguard the future of our oceans and ensure that the bounty of the sea can continue to sustain both marine life and human societies for generations to come.
‘Plenty of fish in the sea’? Not anymore, say UN experts in Nice
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