Something Fishy: California's Troubled Waters
No question there are far fewer fish. A half dozen species have been depleted, from over-fishing, pollution, and changing ocean temperatures that cause species to migrate to friendlier waters. We looked at a couple of the solutions being tried to save the sea and the folks who depend on it.
In short those solutions focus on leaving the ocean alone to heal itself. Putting millions of acres off limits to commercial and sport fishing. Buying out the bigger fishing trawlers to reduce pressure on the remaining fish stocks.
And then we went to sea ourselves with researchers who pilot a robotic camera for an annual survey of the ocean floor. They're looking for signs of recovery. What they do is kind of like piloting a plane, joy stick and all, and what they bump into is fascinating.
You can ride along with us on the CBS Evening News tonight, as our "pilot" gives us a close up view of this water world.
These are only a couple of solutions for a very complex problem. And some commercial fisherman have doubts this is the right way to go. But California is considering putting millions more acres of coastal waters off limits to help the ocean floor and the fish living there make a come back.