How can overfishing adversely affect marine ecosystems?

Overfishing can significantly disrupt marine ecosystems by leading to reduced fish populations, ultimately impacting the balance of species within that environment. When fish are removed from their habitats at a rate faster than they can reproduce, it results in a decline in their populations. This reduction not only affects the targeted fish species but also has cascading effects on the entire marine food web.

As fish populations dwindle, their predators may struggle to find enough food, which can lead to declines in those predator species as well. Additionally, the absence or significant reduction of a particular species can affect the organisms that rely on it for food, thus altering the predator-prey relationships that are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Moreover, overfishing can lead to an increase in numbers of other species, such as certain invertebrates or smaller fish, that may not have been as dominant when larger fish were present. This shift can create an imbalance, further endangering the marine ecosystem's health and biodiversity. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the serious implications of overfishing on marine populations and the broader ecological consequences that follow.