The Sea and Me (2)

Abstract

This work looks at the importance of marine data explored through photographic form. Scientifically, this graph looks at fish stocks around the United Kingdom that have been sustainably harvested. Photographically, this piece explores the idea of memory and the personal relation to the sea; alongside the possibilities of forgetting about these underlying issues of ocean sustainability.

Fish are an integral component of marine biodiversity. They are an important element of the food chain for seabirds, seals, cetaceans and larger predators; fish are essential for the survival of most marine species. They are also a major source of food and employment for large populations on a global scale. Sustainable fisheries help to ensure marine ecosystems remain diverse, resilient, and provide a long-term and valuable fishing industry.

This graph shows the percentage of fish stocks in seas around the UK that are harvested sustainably and are at full reproductive capacity. It is based on a group of seven species in 13 stocks for which there are reliable estimates of fishing mortality and spawning biomass, this data is combined with data about expected fish mortality and biomass that allow the sustainability of the stocks to be evaluated. A stock, in this case refers to a population of a species occurring in a defined sea area; a particular species may occur in multiple stocks in waters around the UK.