Submitted by Chelsea L. Wood on Wed, 12/21/2011 - 16:15
Palmyra Atoll is one of few places in the world that has never been intensively fished. Its marine ecosystems support staggering fish biodiversity. But what do fish do for us? Beyond the aesthetic, how does Palmyra benefit from its pristine fish assemblages? And, by the same token, what benefits are lost on other tropical atolls when fishing spirals out of control?
Palmyra Atoll is one of few places in the world that has never been intensively fished. Its marine ecosystems support staggering fish biodiversity. But what do fish do for us? Beyond the aesthetic, how does Palmyra benefit from its pristine fish assemblages? And, by the same token, what benefits are lost on other tropical atolls when fishing spirals out of control?