What happens to fish populations when overfishing occurs?

Overfishing can have a detrimental impact on fish populations, leading to significant depletion. When fish are removed from an ecosystem at a rate faster than they can reproduce, their numbers begin to decline. This depletion disrupts the ecological balance, as fish play critical roles in their habitats, such as controlling populations of smaller organisms and contributing to nutrient cycling.

As fish populations decrease, not only does the immediate number of fish become less, but this can also lead to insufficient breeding stock, meaning that even if fishing efforts were to cease, recovery may take a long time or may not happen at all if the population has fallen below a critical threshold. Overfishing can lead to declines in biodiversity and impede the function of aquatic ecosystems.

Other outcomes of overfishing, such as adaptation to different environments or stabilization of populations, are less likely because the rapid removal of fish exceeds their ability to adapt or recover efficiently. Thus, the correct answer highlights a direct consequence of overfishing, underscoring the importance of sustainable fishing practices to maintain healthy fish populations and ecosystems.