The End of the Line

In , our guide is the author of the book of the same name, journalist Charles Clover. This is the first-ever full-length investigative documentary on the disastrous consequences of overfishing. It begins by looking at what happened to cod, a case that serves as a perfect example for the fate awaiting other species of fish. The vast fishing zone off Newfoundland was once thought to be inexhaustible, but in 1992 there was suddenly no more cod, and 40,000 furious fishermen lost their job. Since then, fish stocks in general have become dramatically depleted. If the situation continues unabated, soon there will be nothing left alive in the sea but algae, plankton, worms, and jellyfish. Meanwhile, illegal fishing goes on. The most highly-prized fish in the world is the now rare bluefin tuna, which is used for the best sushi. Whistleblower Roberto Mielgo Bregazzi, who used to dive for tuna himself, now tracks ships that overfish bluefin tuna. The EU is failing to establish a common quota, while if the scientists are correct, catches must be reduced to one-third of present levels if fish stocks are to recover. Unfortunately, fish cultivation offers no solution, because 40% of fish caught in the open sea are used to feed farmed fish.