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This is what our oceans could look like if we stop overfishing immediately.

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This is what our oceans could look like if we stop overfishing immediately.

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These are the fish farms we could be utilizing to save our fish.

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These are the fish farms we could be utilizing to save our fish.

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These are the innocent little fish that are in danger.

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These are the innocent little fish that are in danger.

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The memorable trips on the beach that future families could have.

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The memorable trips on the beach that future families could have.

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Ever since I was a little kid, I went on many vacations with my family. So far, our vacations have been amazing. For instance, I am going to the beach in a week. But soon, it is going to kill me when I see all of the dead fish in the ocean from overfishing. I bet you care and love the ocean just as much as I do. So help me stop overfishing so more families can have memorable trips as we have. This is why we need to stop overfishing because our ocean is in danger. One problem that our oceans are facing is overfishing. It is a very severe problem and we need to take action by eliminating bycatch and trawling. Now it is up to you, Senator Stabenow, to take a stand on this worldwide problem as soon as possible.

Senator Stabenow, overfishing is a major problem for not just certain areas on the earth but bodies of water all around the world. Fish are going extinct and we need to keep their population sustainable and you know you do not want to see that. There are multiple problems that cause overfishing, but trawling is a severe one. In the essay “You Can Stop Overfishing” paragraph 5, the text states “Trawling drags huge nets through the ocean that scoop up every animal and the ecosystem in its pathway, resulting in massive wasteful bycatch - dead fish are returned to the sea because they weren't the target fish”. This tells us that when they're trying to catch fish species, they catch unintended fish and they release them back into the ocean even though they are dead. Trawling also destroys habitats. The net gets dragged across the sea floor which endangers the coral and the fish living in it. This is only one of many problems that cause overfishing. Another problem is illegal fishing. In the essay “Sustainable Solutions” paragraph 1, the text says “Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing — or IUU fishing — accounts for one of every five wild-caught fish. Some experts estimate that 10–26 million tons of IUU-caught fish is taken each year — an amount equal to 11–19 percent of the global reported catch”. As you can clearly see, we are taking out and fishing too many fish than we need, illegal fishing needs to stop immediately. In the essay “Plenty of Fish in The Sea? Maybe Not”, paragraph 3, the text states“Eventually, overfishing could lead to certain species of fish being wiped out entirely. Shrimp, salmon, cod, tuna, and many more could become extinct in less than 30 years. Overfishing is an emergency that can no longer be ignored”. Overfishing is wiping out fish species entirely. As a result, food will be lost for people and fishermen will lose their jobs. Overfishing is a bad idea for fish and our oceans.

Overfishing is a problem and we need solutions. Too much trawling is happening. In the essay “Plenty Of Fish In The Ocean? Maybe Not.” paragraph 6, the text states, “In order to address overfishing, trawling needs to cease. Other fishing methods that catch fewer unwanted fish and marine animals should be used instead”. This is clearly saying that there are other ways to catch fish that do not catch as many unwanted fish. Trawling kills all of the fish that are not needed. However,  the other methods might catch less or no unwanted fish. Another way to prevent overfishing is by utilizing fish farms. In the essay “Sustainable Solutions” paragraph 4, the text states,” Like national parks on land, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) protect rich ecosystems and help restore overfished populations. Fishing and other activities are often restricted within the MPA”. We need to make more fish farms and other protected areas so that the fish and marine animals can have a more healthy and better ecosystem for the fish. If we can eliminate all of the trawling and utilize fish farms, we can have a more safe, nice, and more protected area so that we can populate the abundance of fish farms. This is why we, together, can make a change in our oceans.

Senator Stabenow, I know you care for our beautiful, glowing oceans just as much as I do. Looking at the ocean and admiring all of the fish, if we do not take action against overfishing, there will be no fish left to look at. So help me, Senator Stabenow, make new legislation and save amazing vacations for future families.

Sincerely,
Aiden LeBrun