Fisheries CPR Paper

by

The Professor

Pew_Report

In May, 2003 the Pew Oceans Commission published a report on the health of the world oceans.

The report states the following developments that cause concern for the health of the oceans by overfishing of commercial fish species, such as ground fish and salmon. 30% of the fish populations that have been assessed are overfished or being fished unsustainably. Destructive fishing practices ruin the habitat and ecology that commercial species depend upon.

The following is a summary of some of the most important recommendations of the Pew Report:

To restore the fisheries, the management of access to fishing areas and catch limits is recommended. Also, limits to bycatch and regulations on fishing geat that could damage the ecosystem habitat. [:(Cmnt by william prothero: An extremely truncated and incomplete summary of the Pew Report recommendations.):]

The_Controversy

The National Fisheries Institue launched an attack on this report. They make numerous arguments to support their position. Basically, they assert that there is no problem and no new management is needed [:(Cmnt by william prothero: Very incomplete description of the NFI objections):] .

My_Analysis

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) strongly disagrees with the Pew Report in item 3.

The best data on this subject comes from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) report: "Implementing the SFA: Reports, Plans & Studies, 2003". This is the most recent data available on the health of the fish stocks. It focusses on species that are of interest for commercial fishing. On page 8, the report states:

* The number of stocks for which the fishing mortality rate exceeds the overfishing threshold decreased from 66 in 2002 to 60 in 2003.
* The number of stocks found to be not subject to overfishing increased from 208 in 2002 to 232 in 2003.
* The number of stocks for which harvest rates are unknown or for which overfishing thresholds are not defined decreased from 658 in 2002 to 617 in 2003.

These numbers show that the Pew Oceans commission report is correct [:(Cmnt by william prothero: Data are presented, but there is no discussion of how the data can be used to support one side or the other of the controversy.):] [:(Cmnt by william prothero: Quotes from news articles could have been effective in supporting your position. There is not real support for the author's position. ):] .

Sustainability

Sustainability means that you can harvest fish forever.

The ordinary citizen can:
1) donate or become involved in organizations that support policies you agree with.
2) write letters to your legislators and advocate for a responsible, sustainable, clean ocean environment.

References

Panetta, 2003. America's Living Oceans, Charting a Course for Sea Change, Report of the Pew Oceans Commission.

UPI Article, 2003. http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030514-014438-1306r