In 1999, near the Galapagos Islands, 22-year-old Rob Stewart, an underwater photographer and filmmaker, was driving when he discovered something that changed his life forever. It was a long-line fishing rig hung with hundreds of dead sharks on a single fishing line that Stewart believed had the potential to reach from Earth to space. This fishing line is known by conservationists as the “curtain of death” (Kielburger). Overfishing is the fishing of a species at levels too high for that species to reproduce. This can significantly reduce the fish population and drive species towards extinction. Fishing has provided the world with food and jobs that have transformed Earth's cultures and ways of life. Fishing is carried out by local fishermen, commercial fishing platforms and fishing enthusiasts. However, when industrialization swept the world, fishing became an obvious problem. Various countries around the world have decided to commercialize fishing, which has caused a number of problems that the world faces today. Fish populations have plummeted and some species have even disappeared from the face of the Earth. Competing commercial fishing boats are devastating marine ecosystems and pushing species to their limits. Overfishing is a huge problem worldwide that needs to be regulated because it destroys underwater ecosystems, jeopardizes future fish stocks, and endangers the global food economy. The recovery of a closely monitored fishing industry can also help support nations around the world. fish populations are significantly reduced and the chances of recovery are slim. “According to European Union data, 80 percent of Mediterranean fish stocks and 47 percent of Atlantic fish stocks have been overexploited” (Jolly). These percentages show the extent to which overfishing...... middle of the paper library. Internet. October 30, 2013. Crockett, Lee. “Protecting marine ecosystems and charting the right course for America’s oceans.” » Oregonian, August 25, 2013. Electronic Library. Internet. October 30, 2013. “Fisheries reform: time to pull the net (press release). » AllAfrica, July 15, 2013. Electronic library. Internet. October 30, 2013 Jolly, David. “European officials are working to combat overfishing.” New York Times, May 31. 2013: B3. Electronic library. Internet. October 24, 2013. Kielburger, Marc et al. “A filmmaker fights for the oceans; The threat to marine life puts us all at risk, says Crusader. Edmonton Journal, June 10, 2013: A13. Electronic library. Internet. October 30, 2013. Kowalski, M, Kathiann. “Farewell, Fish? » Odyssey, April 1, 2013: 32. Electronic library. Internet. October 24, 2013. “Overfishing.” ThinkQuest Oracle Foundation and eLibrary. Internet. October 31, 2013. “Overpopulation and diminishing Earth resources. » World Year of Book Science, 2009. Electronic library. Internet. October 30. 2013.