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Explore the intersection of Malthusian theories and overfishing, affecting coral reefs in the Far-Pacific region. Understand the economic and environmental consequences, from declining living conditions to loss of local cultures and biodiversity. Discover how human greed and unsustainable practices are leading to irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.
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Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) • Political economist concerned with decline of living conditions • Suggested family size of lower class people should be lowered • His ideas about population growth were foundation for Darwin’s Evolution theory
Malthusian Overfishing • Human populations increase at a rate beyond the capacity of the resource base to supply • Contrasts Market overfishing – high prices, efficient harvest & delivery systems rapidly exhaust fish populations • Market overfishing – greed • Malthusian overfishing – survival
Changing Cultures in the South Pacific • Cultures are being displaced • Locals resort to destructive methods rather than starve • Money replaced more traditional barter systems • Introduction of money started process of environmental decay • Breakdown of local traditions abetted depletion of reefs • Wealth of knowledge lost