Fishers unload their catch in the PhilippinesNicole Tung These powerful images are the work of photographer Nicole Tung, who spent nine months documenting the human and environmental cost of overfishing in South-East Asia. Since the 1950s fishing has morphed from artisanal trade to industrialised global industry.
Overfishing and illegal fishing have also risen to meet rapidly increasing demand from a growing population. Tung focused on the region because it plays a key role in the global fishing trade.
Her project, funded by a 50,000 Carmignac Photojournalism Award for fieldwork, changed her stance on seafood. It isnt about consumers giving it up completely, she says.
Rather, they need to be much more aware of their choices. It was, she adds, harrowing to hear stories from Indonesian fishermen describing violence they had witnessed at sea and the terrible conditions they often experienced working on fishing vessels.Advertisement The image above shows a fisher unloading yellowfin tuna at General Santos fish port in the Philippines after being at sea for a month.
*Reporting by Newscientist.*
Powerful images show dark side of South-East Asia’s fishing industry
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