Uncovering the Hidden Crises in Global Fishing: Rose George’s In-Depth Exploration

The fishing industry faces critical challenges that threaten marine ecosystems and global food security. Overfishing has depleted fish populations, while illegal fishing practices continue to disrupt sustainability efforts. Climate change further exacerbates these issues by altering marine habitats and reducing fish sizes. Amid this backdrop, journalist Rose George has authored “Every Last Fish: A Deep Dive into the World of Fishes and Fishing” (Granta Books, 2025), a compelling examination of the industry’s ethical and environmental struggles.

George, known for her award-winning work on shipping (“Deep Sea and Foreign Going”), immersed herself in the lives of fishers, aquaculturists, and scientists to uncover the industry’s complexities. Her research reveals disturbing realities, including forced labor, unsafe working conditions, and inadequate regulatory oversight. The book also explores fish intelligence and welfare, challenging perceptions of these creatures as mere commodities.

George reflects on her motivation: “After writing about shipping, I was told to look into fishing—it was even more complex. My research highlighted the shift from wild-caught to farmed fish, but overfishing persists. People know the oceans are in trouble but struggle to connect emotionally with aquatic life.”

She emphasizes fish sentience, citing studies on goldfish cognition and advocating for ethical treatment. Her goal: to humanize these animals and expose systemic failures in monitoring and enforcement at sea.

Rose George

Journalist and Author

George, a British journalist, has written four acclaimed non-fiction books exploring overlooked industries and social issues. In “Every Last Fish,” she combines field research with scientific inquiry to expose the fishing industry’s vulnerabilities and ethical dilemmas.

Discussing her journey: “I traveled globally—from Senegal’s depleted fisheries to U.K. trawlers—to understand the human cost. In Senegal, legal overfishing by foreign trawlers has devastated local sardine stocks. Meanwhile, small-boat fishermen in England face bureaucratic burdens that breed frustration.” She notes that 2% of fishing vessels are monitored by observers, leaving vast gaps in enforcing regulations.

George recounts meeting Ghanaian crewmembers trapped on a U.K. trawler under trans-shipment visas, effectively imprisoned at sea. Such cases highlight the industry’s exploitation vulnerabilities.

In contrast, she shares a story of hope: “Rex Harrison, a U.K. fisherman, partnered with conservationists to redesign his nets, cutting seabird bycatch by 90%. This shows change is possible through collaboration.”

We have to stop taking everything from the ocean and assuming it’s got an infinite bounty, because it clearly doesn’t.

Regarding the Global Ocean Treaty: “While only 10% of fishing occurs in international waters, this treaty offers a new model for protecting marine areas. Additionally, no-take marine reserves demonstrate how swiftly ecosystems rebound when given space to recover.”

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

The book exposes the fishing industry’s $200 billion food system, where unchecked practices and inadequate monitoring fuel environmental collapse. George’s work, shortlisted for the 2026 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize, challenges readers to confront the ethical costs behind their seafood plates.

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