North Sea Fish Biomass Cut By Nearly 2/3 In Just Over 100 Years - BBC

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A scientific model of the North Sea's ecosystem suggests the total stock of fish has dropped from 26 million tonnes to 10 million in just over a century.

Some fish, such as the bluefin tuna, have disappeared completely following intensive fishing in the 1960s. Others, including cod, haddock and mackerel, have declined considerably, while seals appear to be on the rise.

The model's details were revealed at the annual meeting of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The researchers hope their work will help in forecasting the future impact of fishing and climate change on species within the North Sea.

EDIT

Comparing the 1991 data with information gathered for the year 1800, prior to the age of steam and mechanisation in the fishing industry, showed up clear reductions in the numbers of cod, haddock, saithe, cetaceans and seabirds. Seal numbers appeared to have risen but this could simply be because there is more data available now."

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3694390.stm