Could COVID-19 help to protect the Pacific's fisheries?

Abstract

In mist of the COVID-19 pandemic, less fishing boats have been seen on the ocean. This enforces break in fishing, pressure will clearly benefit the snapper population as it is the most popular table fish for both commercial and amateur fishers for northern North Island in New Zealand. Much have been said about the potential benefits for wildlife from the COVID-19 global epidemic; some of the endangered species have come out of hiding and are seen in some cities in countries that on the lockdown eg. coyotes have been seen on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, wild boar are becoming more bolder in Barcelona and Bergamo and many other animals that have temporarily inhabit cities that are on the lockdown. Instead of Small Island Developments States, Pcaific Islands leaders see themselves as Large Ocean States and are unitied in their vision of a Blue Continent. Since the Pacific Island contain most of the world's most valuable tuna fishery and is worth USD 40 billions, it is seen that some foreigner fishing boats have been illegally fishing in the economic zone of the Pacific Regions. This is why the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has proved to be inadequate to enable sustainable management of fish stocks. The Organisation Global FIshing Watch tracks the movements of hundereds and thousands of fishing vessels around the world. It may be possible in a post-COVID world to achieve more sustainale global fisheries including in the Pacific Island, if nations agree on the need for better monitoring and management effort. Let's hope that enough decision-makers are able to implement some serious conservations measures in the coming months, before everyone sinks back into full-tilt exploitation of the ocean and it resources.