"Modern technology has increased humankind's ability to harvest seafood, but lately in the 21st century an empty net is all a fisherman has to show for a hard day's work."

A complaint heard throughout the poor and developing world.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is growing harder to survive.
The fishes are harder to find now.
The dilemma is simple, my friends!
There are too many fishermen
but not enough fishes in the sea.

Today's sea resembles a battlefield.
Ah! Life, it is painful, very painful,
full of upheaval, full of rage
for everyone connected to the sea.

World fisheries are in pandemonium.
Nations fight over fishing grounds.
In the midst of this turmoil, the sea's
feral freedom has gone out of its soul.

We've come to our reckoning.
The unthinkable has come to haunt us.
The treasures of oceans, then
deemed boundless, has proven finite.

More and more fishing vessels
now sieve the world's waters to survive.
Over-harvesting -- the force
of economics overpowers conscience.

The waters are being emptied
-- cleaned out by industrial fishing.
Ah! Fisherman using traditional
techniques shall not survive.

The big rusty fleets
have cranked the ocean's ribs.

A wooden boat,
and an old way of fishing --
with a bait and hooks
may be the last chance
for a man to survive
and the sea to revive.

On the shore, an old fisherman
was crying. It is the fate of many,
many fishermen -- both young and old.
Ah! They cannot exploit the ocean' s gift
-- diminishing returns rule the day.


Copyright 2007 Bhuwan Thapaliya
 
Pic source: images.dpchallenge.com