Marine Mammals Vs. Fish

Will overexploited oceans become the next global ecology concern?

Introduction

Efforts to protect marine mammals have been extremely successful. Certain species of whales, dolphins and sea lions are rebounding hearteningly. But now scientists say there are new concerns -- about fish stocks. As commercial fishing by the overbuilt and poorly regulated U.S. fishing fleet intensifies, marine mammals increasingly come into conflict with fishermen, becoming entangled in their nets or competing for the same fish. As a result, virtually all of the nation's fish are under stress or in serious decline. Without action, experts say, there won't be enough fish for marine mammals -- or for fishermen. And the problem isn't limited to the United States. Environmentalists fear that overexploited oceans will replace tropical rain forests as the next global ecology concern.

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