Here's why:
* Abundance: Coastal waters are naturally more productive due to nutrient-rich upwelling, sunlight penetration, and the presence of various ecosystems like estuaries and coral reefs. This creates a greater abundance of fish compared to the open ocean.
* Accessibility: Coastal waters are relatively shallow and accessible to fishing vessels, making it easier and more cost-effective to catch fish.
* EEZs: The majority of the world's fish catch comes from within countries' EEZs, which extend 200 nautical miles from their coastlines. This gives countries control over fishing activities and resources within these zones.
While the open ocean does contain fish, catching them is significantly more challenging and expensive due to their vastness and the difficulties associated with long-distance fishing.