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4.13: End of the Line

Introduction to Animal Science · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Commercial fishing is one of the oldest and most important human industries, providing food, jobs, and economic growth for communities worldwide. Today, it supplies millions of tons of seafood annually and contributes nearly half of the world’s protein intake in some regions. However, commercial fishing has also become one of the most debated industries because of its environmental, economic, and cultural impacts.

    "End of the Line" is a documentary that will challenge your perspective on seafood. The film examines how our demand for fish has created a global industry that's fundamentally unsustainable, affecting everything from local fishing communities to international trade, from marine ecosystems to food security.

    Watch for Themes

    As you watch, pay attention to:

    • The science behind overfishing: How do we know fish populations are declining, and what does "commercial extinction" actually mean?
    • Global interconnectedness: How fishing practices in one part of the world affect ecosystems and communities thousands of miles away
    • Economic drivers: Why do fishing fleets continue unsustainable practices even when they know the long-term consequences?
    • Regulatory challenges: What makes it so difficult to manage ocean resources that cross international boundaries?
    • Potential solutions: What approaches are being tested to address these challenges?
    Critical Viewing Questions \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    After watching the documentary, answer the following questions and upload them to the assignment drop in Brightspace.

    • What role does consumer demand play in driving overfishing?
    • How do short-term economic pressures conflict with long-term sustainability?
    • What are the ethical implications of depleting ocean resources for future generations?
    • How might climate change complicate the issues presented in the film?
    • What three things surprised you about this documentary?
    • What two things from the documentary do you wish everyone knew? Why did you choose those two things?
    • Did the film change your mind about fishing or eating fish? Explain why or why not.
    • If restaurants served endangered mammals on their menus, such as cheetahs or elephants, there would be public uproar. Why do you think there isn’t a similar reaction to endangered fish?

    Resource for video: The Documentary Channel. Oct 19, 2022, The End of the Line: The Destruction of our Seas, [Video], YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmi4MGmKpn4&t=1s

    This page titled 4.13: End of the Line was last modified on Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:11:47 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Deanne Pawlisch.