By the way we’re about 3 weeks away from The Meritocracy Trap so get ready!
For next week, let’s read chapter 15 and the epilogue.
This week: Indonesia is trying to protect its borders, and Vietnam would like to fish there, but neither particularly cares about where the precise border is. Somalia has illegal fishing, human trafficking, arms trafficking, a royal flush of bad stuff but in the ocean. We’re most of the way through: how do you even begin to solve this? Who do you think should be in charge of the oceans? Is this just the way it’s going to be?
There is an United Nations Treaty on the Seas signed by, I think, 168 countries. The big problem is that the United States refuses to sign. That makes it much harder to enforce. Until the U.S. gets on board (so to speak), I doubt the U.N. can do much.
Well, I think there is already a UN-type system set up for international waters and everyone is supposed to abide by them. It is the international policing that is weak, and as the author says several times, there is no incentive to keep those rules. I am hoping the author has some specific ideas in mind for change. He seems to feel he has obligations to all the fishermen he has met to tell their stories in the hope something good can come from it. I had to walk away from the part on Somalia a few times - he and his associate were lucky to get out of there.
As for personal changes, no, I have to admit I haven't been feeling too guilty, and I should be feeling guilty. I love fish and eat plenty of it. My ridiculous rationale is that somehow I am helping these extremely poor individuals have some type of living wage to feed their families.
Have to believe that the United Nations need to be in charge of the oceans. That said I have to tilt the discussion to the Found Footage Chapter Armed & Dangerous. I found it to be the most riveting since Chapter 1. Certainly a movie in the making. Also would love a whole book based on the maritime investigations of the TMT. It would be totally fascinating.
I remember as a young school student trying to understand the boundary between oceans and between seas. Where does one begin and another end? I guess my question still isn’t resolved.
Regarding who should be in charge of our oceans I wonder how a United Nations like set up would work? I just don’t think we have enough motivation from an international level.
I am curious to know if the book motivated any of you to make changes on a personal level? E.g cutting out seafood, water conservation , volunteering?
The more I have read, the more daunting the issues seem to be - with no real pathway to solve any of them. And to think, this book probably only scratches the surface.
There is an United Nations Treaty on the Seas signed by, I think, 168 countries. The big problem is that the United States refuses to sign. That makes it much harder to enforce. Until the U.S. gets on board (so to speak), I doubt the U.N. can do much.
Well, I think there is already a UN-type system set up for international waters and everyone is supposed to abide by them. It is the international policing that is weak, and as the author says several times, there is no incentive to keep those rules. I am hoping the author has some specific ideas in mind for change. He seems to feel he has obligations to all the fishermen he has met to tell their stories in the hope something good can come from it. I had to walk away from the part on Somalia a few times - he and his associate were lucky to get out of there.
As for personal changes, no, I have to admit I haven't been feeling too guilty, and I should be feeling guilty. I love fish and eat plenty of it. My ridiculous rationale is that somehow I am helping these extremely poor individuals have some type of living wage to feed their families.
Have to believe that the United Nations need to be in charge of the oceans. That said I have to tilt the discussion to the Found Footage Chapter Armed & Dangerous. I found it to be the most riveting since Chapter 1. Certainly a movie in the making. Also would love a whole book based on the maritime investigations of the TMT. It would be totally fascinating.
I remember as a young school student trying to understand the boundary between oceans and between seas. Where does one begin and another end? I guess my question still isn’t resolved.
Regarding who should be in charge of our oceans I wonder how a United Nations like set up would work? I just don’t think we have enough motivation from an international level.
I am curious to know if the book motivated any of you to make changes on a personal level? E.g cutting out seafood, water conservation , volunteering?
The more I have read, the more daunting the issues seem to be - with no real pathway to solve any of them. And to think, this book probably only scratches the surface.