Improving fish stocks with fishery management

A study examines how improved fishery management has increased fish stock abundance. Fish stocks are vital to the global food system. However, overfishing of some stocks is contributing to decreasing abundance. To estimate the loss of potential yield from fishing pressure, Ray Hilborn and colleagues used the RAM Legacy Stock Assessment data as of 2016 that included stock data from six continents, accounting for approximately 50% of the world’s fisheries catch. Fishing pressure was significantly correlated with changes in stock abundance and management intensity of fisheries. The authors estimated that excessive fishing pressure is currently responsible for approximately 3-5% loss of potential yield from global marine fisheries where data are available. In regions where fisheries are intensively managed, legislation and fishery management changes decreased fishing pressure while stock abundance improved–in some cases, above target levels. Compared with regions with highly developed fishery management, regions with less developed fishery management had approximately three-fold greater harvest rates. The findings suggest additional management initiatives may help sustain fisheries in countries with high fishing pressure, according to the authors.

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Article #19-09726: “Effective fisheries management instrumental in improving fish stock status,” by Ray Hilborn et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ray Hilborn, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; tel: 206-883-5049; email: <

[email protected]

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This part of information is sourced from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/potn-ifs010820.php

Ray Hilborn
206-883-5049
[email protected]

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