How does overfishing impact sustainability?

Overfishing significantly impacts sustainability by leading to species extinction. When fishing activities exceed the reproductive capacity of fish populations, their numbers decline sharply. As a result, certain species may not reproduce quickly enough to sustain their populations, putting them at risk of extinction. This loss of biodiversity can disrupt entire ecosystems, as each species plays a unique role within its environment.

The consequences of overfishing extend beyond individual species; they can lead to imbalances in the food chain, affecting predator-prey relationships and the overall health of marine ecosystems. Healthy fish populations are crucial to sustaining marine biodiversity, which contributes to resilience against environmental changes and supports ecosystem services that benefit humans, such as clean water and nutrient cycling.