The shape of this totem pole is based on reports on the condition of marine and ocean fisheries in the world.

OVEREXPLOITED
FISHERIES

HEALTHY FISHERIES

FISHERIES EXPLOITED
TO EXCESS

It illustrates the fact that the fishery industry in its current form because of overfishing and the issue of by-catch, is soon going to lead to the collapse of marine population. The population of big fish in the seas and oceans has decreased decreased by 70 percent.

Sources:

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

90% of fish stocks are used up – fisheries subsidies must stop

Link

Our World in Data

Fish stocks within sustainable levels

Link

Link Marine Ecology Progress Series

Fish biomass in the world ocean: A century of decline

str. 512, 155-166