What is one impact of overfishing on marine ecosystems?

Overfishing significantly disrupts food webs within marine ecosystems. When fish populations are depleted due to excessive fishing, it can lead to a cascading effect on the marine food web. For instance, the removal of key species can result in the overpopulation of smaller fish and invertebrates, which may then affect the abundance of species that feed on them. Additionally, the decline of top predators due to overfishing can result in an imbalance where herbivorous species may thrive unchecked, leading to the overgrazing of critical habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs. Consequently, the overall structure and function of the marine ecosystem are negatively impacted, demonstrating how vital each species is to maintaining ecological balance.