Context Of Fisheries Management Research Articles

FISHERIES ECONOMICS-A LITERATURE REVIEW

Fisheries economics refers to the study of economic activities related to the management, production, and distribution of fishery resources. It involves analysing the economic aspects of fishing, aquaculture, and the overall seafood industry. This field explores topics such as resource allocation, market dynamics, policy implications, and sustainability within the context of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Fisheries economics refers to the branch of economics that focuses on the economic aspects of the fishing industry. It involves the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of fish and seafood, considering factors such as market dynamics, resource management, trade, and policy implications. The goal is to understand and analyse the economic behaviour and decision-making within the fisheries sector to promote sustainable practices and efficient resource utilization. Fisheries economics is a field of study that focuses on the economic aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. It involves analysing the allocation of resources, production, distribution, and consumption of fishery-related goods and services. This discipline examines the economic behaviour of individuals, businesses, and governments within the context of fisheries management, sustainability, and the impact of policies on the fishing industry.

Changing behavior: Can intervention design from the public health sector help solve the problem of fishing gear conflict?

Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear is associated with significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. Gear loss can be attributed to environmental and operational factors. Gear conflict, which can result in the loss of gear due to interactions within or between fleet métiers, is a significant contributor to gear loss in some fisheries. Traditionally interventions aiming to reduce the occurrence of gear conflict have been designed without a systematic approach and with minimal analysis of the fisher behaviors which lead to gear conflict. This study uses the Behavioral Change Wheel (BCW), a well-established intervention design framework originating from the UK health sector, and applies it for the first time in a fisheries management context in an attempt to understand the specific intervention functions and policy categories which could be used to reduce or avoid the occurrence of gear loss through gear conflict. Through a series of open-ended interviews with static and mobile fishers, ten behaviors were identified which were associated with either the prevention or mitigation of gear conflict (communication between sectors/individuals, marking fishing gear, moving gear when/if requested, adjusting fishing patterns to account for known gear positions, adherence to spatial separation agreements, regular gear maintenance, regular hauling of static gear, reporting snagged static fishing gear, bringing snagged fishing gear back into harbor, and attempting to locate lost fishing gear). While some of these behaviors (such as sharing details of fishing activities and locations) were found in both static and mobile fleet métiers, other behaviors were unique to specific fleet segments (e.g. gear marking behavior from static gear fishers). Analysis of the behavioral subcomponents of each behavior through the BCW framework reveal that intervention functions targeting fisher social and physical opportunities and automatic and reflexive motivations would be most effective when attempting to reduce the occurrence of gear loss between static and mobile métiers. Potential policy categories that would support this work include the introduction of guidelines, fiscal measures, regulation, legislation, environmental/social planning, and service provision- for example, the creation of behavioral contracts by fishers, enforced spatial management guidelines, and the creation of support structures for part-time fishers.

Size spectrum model reveals importance of considering species interactions in a freshwater fisheries management context

AbstractInland fisheries have a significant cultural and economic value around the globe, providing dietary protein, income, and recreation. Consequently, methods for monitoring and managing these important fisheries are continually being refined. In marine systems, multispecies size spectrum models have been increasingly used to explore management scenarios of important fish stocks within an ecosystem‐based fisheries management framework; however, these models have not been applied as extensively in freshwater systems. In this study, we developed a multispecies size spectrum model for the fish community of Lake Nipissing, a large, productive lake in Ontario, Canada. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully calibrated multispecies size spectrum model for an inland fishery. Using this model, we explored the impacts of potential fishing regimes and management scenarios on fish community dynamics while taking species interactions into account. Specifically, we examined how changes in fishing mortality affect (1) species biomass, (2) community size structure, and (3) stock recovery times. We found that community dynamics following changes in fishing mortality were driven by complex interactions among species, including competition and predation. The greatest changes in biomass and community size structure were observed following changes in fishing mortality of top predators, with community size structure most strongly influenced by changes in the mortality of the largest species. Counter to predictions based on generation time, the smallest species in our model exhibited the longest time to recovery due to strong competition and predation. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering species interactions in the management of inland fisheries and highlight the potential of size spectrum model use in freshwater systems.

Implementing Adaptive Management within a Fisheries Management Context: A Systematic Literature Review Revealing Gaps, Challenges, and Ways Forward

Adaptive management acknowledges uncertainty and complexity in socio–ecological systems, providing a structured approach for learning and for making the needed management adjustments. Despite its utility, there are few examples of how adaptive management has been applied. To identify the extent to which implementation aligns with theory, we conducted a systematic literature review of adaptive management in a fisheries management context to compare how adaptive management was defined, applied and what was deemed important for implementation. Following the PRISMA approach for meta-synthesis, 20 papers were identified and reviewed against the eight key components of adaptive management. Across the case studies, we found ambiguity in the definitions of adaptive management, a varying emphasis on the different components of adaptive management and barriers to adaptive management that stemmed from both outside the process and as part of the iterative cycle. Our analysis suggests that for adaptive management to be implemented in other natural resource management situations, consideration should be given to the active and ongoing participation of those outside management, integrating socio–economic values into decision-making, and ensuring a monitoring plan is implemented. Additionally, attention should be paid to having the time and ability to detect the effects of management actions against a broader background of change. This analysis offers insights into how management support can lead to more effective objective-based decisions, thereby improving management over time.

What’s in a Fish Species Name and When to Change It?

Honorific scientific names have recently received intense scrutiny because societal values have changed. Across disciplines groundswells of support for renaming species have occurred; specifically those named after dishonorable people or with culturally inappropriate common names. Fishes have not been immune to this attention, but changes have come slowly. Now is the time for AFS to confront this controversial topic. The renaming processes can be aided by examining what other organizations have done. First, AFS should develop procedures for renaming species epithets and common names for species named after people who advocated racist and/or sexist views, used derogatory names in their writings, or did reprehensible things. Second, this process should include input from fisheries professionals who have to work with these names within the context of fisheries management, the AFS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and Indigenous peoples. Third, ichthyologists should change how their newly described species are named. As descriptions are written, an opportunity presents itself to name species with names of Indigenous peoples or after people that more closely represent the value sets of our society and profession. North Carolina, with its specious freshwater fish fauna, can serve as an illustrative case study of controversial fish names that warrant this discussion.

Bottom-up conservation: using translational ecology to inform conservation priorities for a recreational fishery

Translational ecology defines a collaborative effort among scientists and stakeholders to rapidly translate environmental problems into action. This approach can be applied in a fisheries management context when information needed to inform regulations is unavailable, yet conservation concerns exist. Our research uses a translational ecology framework to assess the stock status and develop research priorities for the crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) in the Florida Keys, USA, a currently unregulated species. Interview data that compiled expert fishing guide knowledge were used to develop hypotheses tested using existing fisheries-dependent datasets to check for agreement among sources and assess the consistency of observed patterns. Six hypotheses were developed concerning the status and trends of the crevalle jack population in the Florida Keys, and four of these hypotheses received clear support, with agreement between guide observations and one or more of the fisheries-dependent datasets. The results of our study outline an effective translational ecology approach for recreational fisheries management designed to rapidly recognize potential management needs as identified by fishing guides, which allows for actionable science and proactive management.

Time-Varying Epipelagic Community Seascapes: Assessing and Predicting Species Composition in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean

The vast spatial extent of the ocean presents a major challenge for monitoring changes in marine biodiversity and connecting those changes to management practices. Remote-sensing offers promise for overcoming this problem in a cost-effective, tractable way, but requires interdisciplinary expertise to identify robust approaches. In this study, we use generalized additive mixed models to evaluate the relationship between an epipelagic fish community in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean and oceanographic predictor variables, quantified in situ as well as via remote-sensing. We demonstrate the utility of using MODIS Rrs555 fields at monthly and interannual timescales to better understand how freshwater input into the Northern California Current region affects higher trophic level biology. These relationships also allow us to identify a gradient in community composition characteristic of warmer, offshore areas and cooler, nearshore areas over the period 2003–2012, and predict community characteristics outside of sampled species data from 2013 to 2015. These spatial maps therefore represent a new, temporally and spatially explicit index of community differences, potentially useful for filling gaps in regional ecosystem status reports and is germane to the broader ecosystem-based fisheries management context.

Identification of artisanal fishing territories and associated conflicts in the middle and lower Paraná River (Argentina) through participatory mapping

Small-scale fisheries exhibit diverse territorial conflicts with other users and productive activities coexistent in fluvial environments, which usually are difficult to handle by management agencies. The aim of this study is to identify and spatialize the conflicts which most affect small-scale artisanal fisheries on the Middle and Lower Paraná River, as well as to expand the fishing territory concept for large rivers through the development of a participatory mapping (PM) process along with artisanal fishers. PM was performed in different fishing communities of the Middle and Lower Paraná River. The information gathered was processed by the Quantum GIS software and local fishing maps were drawn up. Livestock represented the main conflictive factor in terms of limiting fishing activity. Shore use and occupancy were identified as one of the main sources of conflict for fishers, due to the reduction of mooring and landing areas that have been lost or allocated for other purposes. The ‘sustainable fishing territory’ was proposed as a new concept, based on integration of the fishing territory idea and the areas of ecological value, proposing such framework as an umbrella area for conservation purposes. Differences in attributes used for developing the fishing territories suggested that PM was effective in recognizing local characteristics on a small scale. Although PM remains still poorly explored for large floodplain rivers, it provides an opportunity to understand the complexity of fishing territories within a context of fisheries management and territorial planning. In this context, PM represents also an effective tool for dealing with conflicts between stakeholders who share the fluvial space through different productive and recreational activities.

Reference points for predators will progress ecosystem‐based management of fisheries

AbstractEcosystem‐based management of fisheries aims to allow sustainable use of fished stocks while keeping impacts upon ecosystems within safe ecological limits. Both the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets promote these aims. We evaluate implementation of ecosystem‐based management in six case‐study fisheries in which potential indirect impacts upon bird or mammal predators of fished stocks are well publicized and well studied. In particular, we consider the components needed to enable management strategies to respond to information from predator monitoring. Although such information is available in all case‐studies, only one has a reference point defining safe ecological limits for predators and none has a method to adjust fishing activities in response to estimates of the state of the predator population. Reference points for predators have been developed outside the fisheries management context, but adoption by fisheries managers is hindered a lack of clarity about management objectives and uncertainty about how fishing affects predator dynamics. This also hinders the development of adjustment methods because these generally require information on the state of ecosystem variables relative to reference points. Nonetheless, most of the case‐studies include precautionary measures to limit impacts on predators. These measures are not used tactically and therefore risk excessive restrictions on sustainable use. Adoption of predator reference points to inform tactical adjustment of precautionary measures would be an appropriate next step towards ecosystem‐based management.

Untying the Mediterranean Gordian Knot: A Twenty First Century Challenge for Fisheries Management

Management of fisheries in the Mediterranean basin has often been described as a unique and complex challenge, due to their multi-specificity, the diversity of gear-types, and the number of nations involved. This perspective has gone hand-in-hand for decades with a lack of strong political will from decision-makers, who have been unwilling to put Mediterranean fisheries management high on their agendas. Over time, exploitation rates of demersal stocks have increased and in 2016, 97% of shared stocks assessed in the Mediterranean were reported to be overfished. An alarm bell about the chronic overfishing of Mediterranean fish stocks was rung by European policy makers in 2015, exactly 20 years after the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization mandated that states should ensure the sustainable use of fishery resources. In this perspective, we: i) review the context of fisheries management in the Mediterranean; ii) identify the potential factors that may have hindered management and; iii) discuss how the reformed European Union Common Fisheries Policy and the binding commitments laid down in its text may lead to knock-on effects for fisheries management in the international Mediterranean context, if properly implemented. In this line, we also present the example of demersal fisheries management in the Strait of Sicily, which may represent a starting point for science-based management in the Mediterranean

Trophic models: What do we learn about Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay ecosystems?

Abstract Trophic models are key tools to go beyond the single-species approaches used in stock assessments to adopt a more holistic view and implement the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). This study aims to: (i) analyse the trophic functioning of the Celtic Sea and the Bay of Biscay, (ii) investigate ecosystem changes over the 1980–2013 period and, (iii) explore the response to management measures at the food web scale. Ecopath models were built for each ecosystem for years 1980 and 2013, and Ecosim models were fitted to time series data of biomass and catches. EcoTroph diagnosis showed that in both ecosystems, fishing pressure focuses on high trophic levels (TLs) and, to a lesser extent, on intermediate TLs. However, the interplay between local environmental conditions, species composition and ecosystem functioning could explain the different responses to fisheries management observed between these two contiguous ecosystems. Indeed, over the study period, the ecosystem's exploitation status has improved in the Bay of Biscay but not in the Celtic Sea. This improvement does not seem to be sufficient to achieve the objectives of an EAFM, as high trophic levels were still overexploited in 2013 and simulations conducted with Ecosim in the Bay of Biscay indicate that at current fishing effort the biomass will not be rebuilt by 2030. The ecosystem's response to a reduction in fishing mortality depends on which trophic levels receive protection. Reducing fishing mortality on pelagic fish, instead of on demersal fish, appears more efficient at maximising catch and total biomass and at conserving both top-predator and intermediate TLs. Such advice-oriented trophic models should be used on a regular basis to monitor the health status of marine food webs and analyse the trade-offs between multiple objectives in an ecosystem-based fisheries management context.

Evaluating seafood eco-labeling as a mechanism to reduce collateral impacts of fisheries in an ecosystem-based fisheries management context

By considering not only target species catch but also bycatch of non-target species and habitat damage, ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) has the potential to minimize the environmental impact of fisheries. Defining and benchmarking EBFM strategies for these incidental environmental impacts has been challenging, and this lack of consensus has, in part, resulted in a proliferation of eco-labeling schemes with variable and vague criteria for environmental targets. The performance of fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the most prominent eco-labeling certifier, was compared to non-certified fisheries and evaluated against target reference points for a suite of metrics derived from the EBFM literature. Specifically we compared marine mammal bycatch, finfish discard rates, and gear impacts between MSC-certified fisheries and non-certified fisheries. Discards of non-target finfish and bycatch rates of marine mammals were no different between certified and non-certified U.S. fisheries. Observer coverage was no higher in certified fisheries, and many fisheries failed to meet the coverage level thought adequate to document bycatch of protected species. MSC-certified fisheries did have lower average gear destructiveness scores than non-certified stocks when weighted by landings but not when weighted by the number of fisheries. Our analysis indicates that MSC-certified fisheries perform better on some ecosystem-based sustainability metrics but are indistinguishable from non-certified stocks on others, and improvement is needed for all certified fisheries to meet quantitative goals for the collateral impacts of fishing.

Results based management in fisheries: Delegating responsibility to resource users

While the notion of results based management has been devoted recent attention in the context of reforming European fisheries management, it remains unclear what it entails. A conceptual model of results based management in fisheries is proposed as a way for public authorities to delegate specific management and documentation responsibilities to resource users. The model comprises three defining features: (1) That authorities define measurable objectives for the utilization of fisheries resources; (2) that resource users are made responsible for achieving these objectives and for (3) providing documentation that allows for an audit of the extent to which they are met. Selected cases are used to illustrate these features. Rationales and prospects of introducing results based management as an alternative in a European fisheries management context are discussed, giving consideration to how it may be pursued under the reformed common fisheries policy.

Guidelines for incorporating fish distribution shifts into a fisheries management context

The impacts of climate change have been demonstrated to influence fisheries resources. One way climate has affected fish stocks is via persistent shifts in spatio-temporal distribution. Although examples of climate-forced distribution shifts abound, it is unclear how these shifts are practically accounted for in the management of fish stocks. In particular, how can we take into account shifting stock distribution in the context of stock assessments and their management outputs? Here, we discuss examples of the types of fish stock distribution shifts that can occur. We then propose a decision tree framework of how shifting stock distributions can be addressed. Generally, the approaches for addressing such shifts fall into one of three main alternatives: re-evaluate stock identification, re-evaluate a stock unit area, or implement spatially explicit modelling. We conclude by asserting that the approach recommended here is feasible with existing information and as such fisheries managers should be able to begin addressing the role of changes in stock distribution in these fish stocks. The implications of not doing so could be notably undesirable.

Current and future use of indicators for ecosystem based fisheries management

Abstract Implementing ecosystem based fisheries management (EBFM) will require a suite of ecological indices to track the state of an ecosystem, in addition to monitoring species-abundance for both economically important species, as well as species that are not targeted for harvest. However, EBFM implementation requires an examination of current methods and applications of ecological indices that are being used. This paper identifies four key uses for ecosystem indices in the context of EBFM and discusses the implications of each: (1) motivation for socio-political action, (2) information for individual users to modify their behavior, (3) implementation of decision rules for management evaluation, and (4) discovery of ecosystem functions to advance scientific knowledge. In a fisheries management context, ecological indicators will be linked to decision rules based on the definitions of both “ecosystem overfishing” and the current single-species definitions of overfishing. Two components of common ecological indicators are species weightings (i.e. catch or abundance data by species) and the species-specific ecological attributes (e.g. mortality rates, body size, trophic level). We discuss statistical issues that arise from estimating the parameters in ecological index calculations from both fishery-dependent and independent data and the potential biases introduced by using catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data, catch data, and abundance estimates. Given the range of biases that arise, often the best estimates of species weightings (abundances) are those derived from fish stock assessments. This implies that progress in EBFM may be best served by increasing the number of species for which single-species assessments are done and to expand the list of species to include species which may not be economically important. The policy framework exists to carry out EBFM; however, future works needs to focus on empirical management strategy simulations, as well as theoretical works to identify management criteria based on those indicators.

Economic tradeoffs in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem: Herring and whale-watching

Abstract This research attempts to quantify some of the effects of localized depletion of herring by examining the search times of commercial whale-watching vessels. Whale-watching vessels are indirect users of herring; whales feed on herring and may disperse when prey availability is low. A dataset of daily whale-watching outcomes is combined with fishing effort and oceanographic data to test the hypothesis that intensive fishing effort increases the search time of whale-watching companies. Our results suggest that fishing may have a detrimental impact on search time; however, the magnitude of this effect is fairly small. We find policy that the recently enacted policy which prohibits fishing for herring in whale-watching areas would decrease search times by a small amount. We find some evidence of a localized aggregation effect; search times are the lowest when herring are spawning in the inshore areas. These results should be of interest to policymakers in determining future fishing regulations in an ecosystem-based fisheries management context.

A New Era for Restocking, Stock Enhancement and Sea Ranching of Coastal Fisheries Resources

The growing number of countries investigating the potential for releasing cultured juveniles to augment coastal fisheries resulted in the First International Symposium on Stock Enhancement and Sea Ranching (ISSESR) in Norway in 1997. The 1st and 2nd ISSESR, in Japan in 2002, were instrumental in developing methods for mass production of environmentally fit juveniles and for releasing them in responsible ways. The 3rd ISSESR, held in the U.S.A. in 2006 (www.SeaRanching.org), ushered the discipline into a new era. The major advances included: (1) definitions of the various objectives for releasing cultured juveniles (restocking, stock enhancement, and sea ranching); (2) a framework for integrating releases within their fisheries management context, including tools for quantitative assessment; (3) a systematic, transparent, and stakeholder-participatory planning process to determine whether releases have a cost-effective role to play in managing a fishery; (4) a comprehensive case study (blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay) describing the multi-disciplinary approach needed to evaluate the potential benefits of releases; and (5) a suite of other lessons to guide stakeholders in evaluating the potential for and implementation of releases. The papers in this Special Issue of Reviews in Fisheries Science elaborate how restocking, stock enhancement and sea ranching programs can create synergies between aquaculture and some coastal fisheries to help meet the future demand for seafood and aid in restoring depleted stocks.

Marine ecosystem assessment in a fisheries management context

We examined a suite of abiotic, biotic, and human metrics for the northeast U.S. continental shelf ecosystem at the aggregate, community, and system level (>30 different metrics) over three decades. Our primary goals were to describe ecosystem status, to improve understanding of the relationships between key ecosystem processes, and to evaluate potential reference points for ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). To this end, empirical indicators of ecosystem status were examined and standard multivariate statistical methods were applied to describe changes in the system. We found that (i) a suite of metrics is required to accurately characterize ecosystem status and, conversely, that focusing on a few metrics may be misleading; (ii) assessment of ecosystem status is feasible for marine ecosystems; (iii) multivariate points of reference can be determined for EBFM; and (iv) the concept of reference directions could provide an ecosystem level analog to single-species reference points.

Ecological quality objectives for the Dutch sector of the North Sea, an outline of a policy under development

We describe the process of formulating ecological quality objectives for the Dutch sector of the North Sea and the future steps that have to be taken before they can be translated into management measures. The project ‘North Sea Ecosystem Objectives’ started in January 1999 with the distinction of twelve rather broad objectives. They range from ‘natural dynamic processes’ (e.g. transport of sand and sediment), through aspects of ‘biodiversity’ (e.g. fish fauna and sea birds) to issues of ‘human perception’ (e.g. open horizon and panoramic view). The objectives were worked out on the basis of available scientific information and concretised into ecological targets. We highlight the targets for the fish fauna as an example. After consultation of the stakeholders, the effects of the various human activities in relation to the ecological objectives have been classified according to type and seriousness. Fisheries turned out to be by far the number one on the list of intervening activities. Shipping is also high on the list. Eutrophication is a serious factor in the coastal zone, whereas large-scale sand extraction will cause problems in the near future. During the next phase of the project, policy decisions will be made on the most relevant set of ecological targets, possible management measures and ways of implementation. With regard to the most problematic activity (i.e. fisheries; particularly beam trawling on flatfish), a first start has been made with a discussion on several options for measures meant to spare fish populations, nursery areas and bottom fauna. Due to the international context of fisheries management, measures regarding fisheries on the NCP will always need international agreement.

Comment: Toward a definition of conservation principles for fisheries management

More than a year ago, Olver et al. (1995) published their perspective on the definition of conservation principles for fisheries management. In their article, the authors discussed three aspects of conservation, within the general context of fisheries management: (1) the North American history of European-based conservation ethics, (2) their proposal for a definition of the term ‘conservation,’ and (3) their proposal for seven conservation principles for use in fisheries management. In their concluding remarks, Olver et al. (1995, p. 1592) state: