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overfish

[ oh-ver-fish ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈfɪʃ /
Ecology, Environmental Science.
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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.
verb (used without object)
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.
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Origin of overfish

First recorded in 1865–70; over- + fish
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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