These are not the only species that have seen their numbers fall to record lows, but they represent some of the most heavily consumed fish worldwide.
One example of an Atlantic fishery that is being completely depleted of its resources is George's Bank. George's Bank is about 150 miles off the New England coast, and at one time was a prime place for Cod, Haddock, and Flounder fishing. According to Gerry E Studds, who was the chairman of the House Fisheries Subcommittee catches of these fish are half of what they used to be in the Georges Banks area, and less than a quarter of what they were in 1960. By depleting our natural resources, we are cutting jobs and contributing to the collapse of an economy. Our nation is becoming increasingly dependent on imports of fish from other countries. It is estimated that some 65 percent of fish consumed in the U.S is coming from outside our own country. When these fish stocks become depleted it causes people to lose their jobs. It's not just the fishermen who are out of work; it's the dockworkers, the people working at the plants, and local fish markets nationwide (Gold).
The decrease in quantity of these fish is also driving up the price per pound. Mr. Studds points out that in New England alone $570 million dollars in potential economic activity has been lost, and employment has dropped by more than half in their fishing industry. Part of the blame for the depletion in these fisheries is because of the advancements that have been made in technology allowing fisherman to maximize there catch, and bigger more sophisticated boats allowing them to carry more fish than they were previously able to. (Gold) On George Bank the fishermen don't want to listen to what the scientists are telling them. William Gordon said, "No one wanted to accept the advice of the federal scientists and managers that a more prudent, cautious approach should be taken" William Gordon was the former New England regional director of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
