overfishing
overfishing — noun
1. the practice of removing fish from oceans, rivers, or lakes at a speed faster th
the practice of removing fish from oceans, rivers, or lakes at a speed faster than the fish can reproduce, which causes their numbers to drop dangerously low
Scientists warn that overfishing is destroying marine ecosystems across the Pacific Ocean.
collocation: overfishing + destroying marine ecosystems
Overfishing in the North Sea has cut cod numbers by more than half.
collocation: overfishing + [area] + cut [species] numbers
The Watanabe family's fishing village struggled after overfishing emptied the nearby waters.
Many countries have created protected ocean areas to help stop overfishing.
Dr. Okafor's research shows that overfishing threatens the food supply of coastal communities.
- overexploitation
broader term — used for any natural resource (forests, minerals, water), not just fish
- overharvesting
closer in meaning but usually refers to plants or agricultural goods; less technical than overfishing
- depletion
describes the result or state of being used up, rather than the activity itself
- sustainable fishing
a practice that keeps fish populations healthy by only taking what can be naturally replaced
- conservation
the broader effort to protect natural resources, including fish stocks, from overuse
文法句型
overfishing + verb (singular)
overfishing of + [species/area]
用法筆記
Always uncountable; takes a singular verb. Commonly appears alongside other environmental threats such as pollution and habitat loss.