BLOG POST 2(Impacts of Overfishing in the Caribbean on the depletion of the Ecosystem)

In my science communication course, my main topic is overfishing in the Caribbean which is divided into four subtopics. My blog would talk about how overfishing in the Caribbean impacts the depletion of the ecosystem, which is one of my subtopics. The Caribbean Sea is a very diverse ecosystem, as it contains multiple vibrant coral reefs, a variety of tropical fish species, marine life. The Caribbean Sea also contains  abundant beauty from nature as it attracts tourists from across the world due to its clear waters and tropical aesthetic. However, despite these amazing features that the Caribbean Sea offers to the world, it faces a major threat and problem, which is overfishing.

Overfishing in the Caribbean, is a major problem because the Caribbean was once an environment that was thriving and flourishing with diverse wildlife, however the increase in overfishing has caused the Caribbean Sea to be pushed to the brink, especially its natural environment which is causing the ecosystem to be on the decline. There are various factors that has caused overfishing in the Caribbean to rise; such as the growth of the regions fishing fleet, lack of legal laws placed on overfishing and an increase in demand of seafood. Nevertheless, these factors combined together has caused the ecosystem to start to collapse. 

Overfishing in the Caribbean has impacted the ecosystem in a major way causing it to become depleted. In an ecosystem, there is a community of living organisms and the physical(non-living) environment interacting and all working with each other. This causes everything in the ecosystem to be linked. Overfishing can have major effects on this link. As one component or member of the community being removed can affect the whole ecosystem all together. There are four major points that can be observed and deducted from the impacts overfishing in the Caribbean has on the ecosystem:1) The decline of apex predators 2) The decrease of herbivores 3) Destruction of the physical(non-living environment) 4) Removal of marine flora and corals. 

 The decline of apex predators such as sharks and barracudas which are both regional predators found in the Caribbean waters can affect the ecosystem in the following ways. When, the natural predators themselves are overfished this causes their natural population to decrease. This general decrease of the predators due to overfishing will then result in an increase in the population of fish species under the food web which will in turn cause a decrease in the producers as the fishes will have no control. This well then cause the entire ecosystem and food web to collapse.

When overfishing of certain species occurs, many species of fish which are herbivores will start to decrease in number. This is a very serious and important matter as this can have severe consequences for the entire ecosystem. When the important herbivores such as parrotfish and surgeonfish start to decrease in numbers the whole ecosystem will collapse. The producers will overpopulate and overgrow without any control and this will in turn cause them to also die out as they will suffer from overpopulation and self competition. The carnivores will also decline in number as their prey sources would have decreased. 

With numerous fish species gone and decreasing in number from the herbivores to the carnivores this will greatly affect the physical(non-living) part of the community, which will subsequently affect the ecosystem. When the food web is disrupted this will cause something like a 'biological explosion' causing a collapse in marine life. The important habitats like the coral reefs are damaged due to the lack of fish species. This will then affect the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide which will cause the ocean to become acidified. Making the ocean even more challenging for the ecosystem to flourish.

As stated before, when the variety of fish species have been reduced the whole ecosystem will fall. When fishes that serve purposes to graze coral reefs and control the algae start to decline. The algae will grow rapidly causing it to overgrow on the coral reefs and suffocate them. This happens especially when species like the parrotfish start to decline in numbers. This overgrowth of algae also affects seagrass and other marine flora as well. 

From the ways above that show how the ecosystem is depleted by overfishing most of the examples are all linked to each other. Hence, showing off if a small part of the ecosystem is affected by overfishing the whole ecosystem will be affected.