Economic Solutions to Overfishing?

Here are Wicked Diving we are always looking for ways to get reduce the amount of fishing going on – particularly right here! The impact from overfishing is obvious on almost dive site in the world. Locally we can see the results. On the Similan Islands there is a certain amount of protection and the government enforces the no-fishing rule (sometimes)

However the greatest way to make changes is to make economic changes. AS areas are overfished – there is less money in the act. To replace that with something that pays more and is easier is definitely a great option.

An article In Dive Magazine Uk talks about the Shark Diving in Fiji on destroyed reefs. They not only generate a large amount of income – but they are a famous destination for those wanting to experience Sharks. Personally I am not a fan of feeding fish – but I am a fan of showing how there are many ways to generate income in small communities that create a viable alternative to fishing.

http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=5243

Great Alternatives are artifical reefs – either manmade of through shipwrecks. Here in Khao Lak, the local dives are done from converted fishing longtails. The drivers earn much more per day than at fishing, and do less work. We are working on some other options in the near future that will offer more alternatives to these fisherman.


-Similan Diving