Rebuilding global fisheries

After a long history of overexploitation, increasing efforts to restore marine ecosystems and rebuild fisheries are under way. Here, we analyze current trends from a fisheries and conservation perspective. In 5 of 10 well-studied ecosystems, the average exploitation rate has recently declined and is...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 325; no. 5940; p. 578
Main Authors: Worm, Boris, Hilborn, Ray, Baum, Julia K, Branch, Trevor A, Collie, Jeremy S, Costello, Christopher, Fogarty, Michael J, Fulton, Elizabeth A, Hutchings, Jeffrey A, Jennings, Simon, Jensen, Olaf P, Lotze, Heike K, Mace, Pamela M, McClanahan, Tim R, Minto, Cóilín, Palumbi, Stephen R, Parma, Ana M, Ricard, Daniel, Rosenberg, Andrew A, Watson, Reg, Zeller, Dirk
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 31.07.2009
Subjects:
Animals
Biodiversity
Biomass
Conservation of Natural Resources
Ecosystem
Fisheries - methods
Fishes - anatomy & histology
Internationality
Marine Biology
Models, Biological
Oceans and Seas
Population Dynamics
ISSN:1095-9203, 1095-9203
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:After a long history of overexploitation, increasing efforts to restore marine ecosystems and rebuild fisheries are under way. Here, we analyze current trends from a fisheries and conservation perspective. In 5 of 10 well-studied ecosystems, the average exploitation rate has recently declined and is now at or below the rate predicted to achieve maximum sustainable yield for seven systems. Yet 63% of assessed fish stocks worldwide still require rebuilding, and even lower exploitation rates are needed to reverse the collapse of vulnerable species. Combined fisheries and conservation objectives can be achieved by merging diverse management actions, including catch restrictions, gear modification, and closed areas, depending on local context. Impacts of international fleets and the lack of alternatives to fishing complicate prospects for rebuilding fisheries in many poorer regions, highlighting the need for a global perspective on rebuilding marine resources.
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ISSN:1095-9203
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1173146