Overfishing: Sustainable Solution to Eat Problem
In our warming oceans, marine species are moving into new areas and ‘re-engineering’ or often destroying those ecosystems, but scientists say the paradox of overfishing sustainably can help.
A new study published in Nature Sustainability this week reveals that establishing a commercial fishery to intentionally overfish an unwanted yet marketable species, like the Longspined Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) in Tasmania, can be a sustainable option to protect vital marine ecosystems.
“This study sets our Tasmanian story of this ‘edible pest’ in an international context, among places where invasive or range-extending species have been commercially or recreationally fished,” said lead author, Dr Katie Cresswell from the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), who conducted this research with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.
“The aim was to see what impact the fishery has had so far in Tasmania, what management measures makes sense in different areas, and how we compare to other places in our management of this problem so far.
“Well before ‘eating the problem’ became a catch phrase, we were exploring ways to effectively reduce the urchin population here in Tasmanian waters – and developing an industry around urchin roe was a clear option.
“With limited resources to control problematic species, a sustainable control option is vital – and a commercial fishery with subsidies varying across locations currently provides that,” he said.
Researchers say that without continued support of government, much of the urchin control to date could quickly unwind.
https://www.utas.edu.au/about/news-and-stories/articles/2025/eat-the-problem-when-overfishing-is-a-sustainable-option