Reasons for slow recovery are not completely understood. However the flowing suggestions have been offered by fisheries scientists; fishing continues to have an impact, non-directed fishing and by-catch, altered biological systems, the removal of a top predator such as cod can alter relationships among species in a community, and changes to life history; the effects truncate age distributions, loss of genetic variability and adaptability [1].
The key for recovery appears to be recognition of the need for ecosystem recovery rather than just a single species. The impact of overfishing goes well beyond the mortality of the target species and also includes changes in habitat quality, trophic relationships and community interactions. Why did fisheries management fail the Atlantic cod? They responded more effectively to the economic health of the fishing industry and its communities than to the long-term condition of the ground-fish resources [2].
In addition to traditional fishery management tools, a number of market-based approaches have been implemented to address declining marine fisheries and these include; certification, consumer-based solutions, ecosystem-based fishery management, purchase of fishing rights, aquaculture, increased use of underutilized species, and a reduction in government subsidies [3].
The future of fisheries and the ecosystems that support those fisheries will probably depend on our willingness to recognize that harvested fish do not exist in a vacuum, but rather in the context of a larger ecosystem. And, if we want to harvest fish, we have to manage in such a manner that does not degrade the ecosystem that supports them.
References
- Dann, N. Gislason, H. Pope, J. G. and Rice, J. C. (2005) Changes in the North Sea Fish Community: Evidence of Indirect Effects of Fishing? ICES Journal of Marine Science. 62: 177-188.
- Garrison, L. P. and Link, J. s. (2000) Fishing Effects on Spatial Distribution and Trophic Guild Structure of the Fish Community in the George’s Bank Region. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 57: 723-730.
- Grafton, R. Q. Arnason, R. Bjørndal, T. Campbell, D. Campbell, H. F. Clark, C. W. Conner, R. Dupont, D. Hannesson, R. Hillborn, Kirkley, J. E. Kompas, T. Lane, D. E. Munro, G. R. Pascoe, S. Squires, D. Steinshamn, S. I. Turris, B. R. and Weninger, Q. (2006) Incentive-based Approaches to Sustainable Fisheries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries Aquaculture. 63-699-710.