overfish

[ oh-ver-fish ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to fish (an area or a marine organism) excessively, or to exhaust the supply of usable fish in (certain waters):
Scientists are concerned that commercial fishing fleets may overfish our coastal waters.
A long history of overfishing parrotfish, which help maintain a healthy balance between living coral and plants, has led to significant reef damage.

to fish so as to deplete the supply of fish in certain waters:
If the trawlers are going to overfish here, we'll need legislation to restrict their hauls.

First recorded in 1865–70; over- + fish

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