The oceans yield nearly 100 million tons of fish annually. But global demand for seafood, combined with efficient, new fishing equipment, has driven many species nearly to extinction. Up to 75 percent of global fish stocks are overfished, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The debate over saving the oceans pits conservationists, who say tighter fishing restrictions are needed to restore depleted fisheries, against commercial fishermen, who contend stocks generally are sustainably managed. The fishermen further argue that pollution, ocean shipping and coastal development are largely responsible for degrading the marine environment, rather than overfishing. Meanwhile, both sides largely agree that policies spelled out in the sweeping 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Act, now up for reauthorization, are part of the problem.

Mary H. Cooper specializes in environmental, energy and defense issues. Before joining CQ Researcher as a staff writer in 1983, she was a reporter and Washington correspondent for the Rome daily newspaper l'Unita. She is the author of The Business of Drugs (CQ Press, 1990). She also is a contract translator-interpreter for the U.S. State Department. Cooper graduated from Hollins College in English.