7 Responses to “Bushmeat on the Menu”

1. #  RobertH 12:45 PM

   It's an intersting corealtion. Perhaps here in Atlantic Canada we will see the same type of thing happen. With our cod stocks dwindling, will we start to overhunt our land mammals like the moose or deer?  

2. #  Scott Sawler 3:27 PM

   Wow
   I never would have thought that the tropics have 1/10 the productivity of savannah area in regard to animals hunted for meat.
   I believe that this problem is all about balance. If the people of this area do not overfish than there will be no need to over hunt. However, I do no it is not that simple, asbecause this is occuriing in a third world nation, that they likely rely on fishing and hunting as not only a food resource, but also as a means for making money as an export item. This problem in a way is tied to first world countries as because of the amount of money we pay for trade goods from countries such as Africa, they must over produce to be able to make ends meat. Therefore if we treat them more fairly it will prevent this great loss of biodiversity and allow for a more sustainable future. As well if they had more time to produce other kinds of vegetative foods, instead of over fishing/hunting for profit, then tthey would also be able to lower their exploitations of these non-renewable resources. As well as shown with the aids pandemic in the article it would also directly benefit first world nations, as the people of poorer countrys would not have to kill primates and which can carry aids, and therfore the world as a whole will see a decline in the amount of people with aids. Something must be done to save not only the worlds oceans, or terrestrial life but us as well.  

3. #  katie* 6:00 PM

   I think the issue of overhunting/fishing should be taken into consideration by all countries and that they should start doing something about it soon before people over hunt/fish so bad that there is not enough to sustain human needs. Before people start hunting or fishing for resources, they should think of some solutions that will replenish the animals instead of hunt land animals for a while until they dwindle down and then hunt fish until the same thing happens. People in Africa should really be thinking about the future since the nation is not as fortunate as other nations.  

4. #  Andrea Coombs 9:28 PM

   I don't think we will start overhunting in Atlantic Canada because it is managed as a recreational activity and not a commercial one. It is illegal to buy or sell large game here in Nova Scotia, for instance (see p.61 http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/hunt/regulations/2006/2006Regs_part3.pdf).  

5. #  Molly 12:54 PM

   Yes, people in Africa should be thinking about the future and the sustainability of their current practices, just like everybody else, but the article brings to light some interesting points. If your primary source of protein (fish) were to decline, what would you do? No one can blame the hunters for turning to bushmeat as a substitute. If anyone is to blame, we should look at our commercial fishing practices. Besides, are we not doing the same substitution by fishing down the food chain?  

6. #  jean-eva Dickie 12:51 PM

   This is a key example of Globalization. the fact that a cab drive could take a customer to a market that was, know to him, to only be located in Africa is crazy. Just imagine other markets that we don't think exists in our country because we are develope. i would imagine that most of the infamus markets around the world are also located in the States and Canada, along with other developed counties around the world.  

7. #  Sarah M 2:08 PM

   This was an interesting read..I found some of the stats very interesting. Overhunting will continue to be a problem even though there are regulations in place. People will still hunt and not claim there kills so I would disagree with the comment that overhunting is not a problem in Atlantic Canada.