Fish Stocks at Risk of Collapse, Study Says

by Christopher Joyce, NPR

Researchers say the world's fish and seafood populations could collapse by 2048 if current trends in habitat destruction and over-fishing continue.

In an analysis of scientific data going back to the 1960s and historical records over a thousand years, the researchers found that marine biodiversity -- the variety of ocean fish, shellfish, birds, plants and micro-organisms -- has declined dramatically, with 29 percent of species already in collapse.

But the new study has attracted quite a bit of criticism from experts who say it overstates the threat. The debate has been playing out in the pages of scientific journals -- in this case, the latest issue of the journal Science.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, November 3, 2006