Early attempts to protect Atlantic cod stock included (1) establishing a minimum mesh size for trawl nets in an attempt to allow small, undersized fish to escape (2) a reduction in total allowable catch (TAC) and (3) the establishment of a 200-mile fishing limit by the U.S. and Canada [1].
The 200-mile “exclusive economic zone” (EEZ) was declared by both the U.S. and Canada to be the sole fishing grounds for each country. Foreign vessels could fish within this zone but only with special permits. Encourage by fewer foreign vessels the American and Canadian fishing fleets invested heavily in new technologically advanced fishing gear and expanded beyond the number of vessels that could be sustained by the cod stocks, reaching overcapacity [2].
Traditional fisheries management has historically focused on single species management with an emphasis on production. Four general approaches have been used to manage fisheries; these include Quotas (total allowable catches), gear restrictions, maximum sustainable yield, and closures. Landings data has also been a primary source of information on population trends, however as various types of management become implemented, the data becomes less reliable and consequently, greater emphasis must be pace on the collection of relevant fisheries data to assure a more science-based management [3].
References
- Churcill, R. (2006) Shared Fisheries Management in the European Community. Review of European Community and International Environmental Law. 2: 260-269.
- Myers, R. A. and Hutchings, J. A. (1997) Why Do Fish Stocks Collapse? The Example of Cod in Atlantic Canada. Ecological Applications. 7: 91-106.
- FAO (2010) MPAs, Fisheries Management and the Ecosystem Approach. [Online].