THE WORKING PRINCIPLES OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Fish and fisheries are a fundamental element of many societies and contribute significantly to the health of society and economics and well-being across many regions and countries. According to estimates, around 12.5 million individuals are employed in related activities. In recent years , global production from capture fisheries has been seen to fluctuate between 85 to 90 million tons. The products of these fishing operations can be used in a range of ways, ranging from subsistence and international commerce as sought-after, highly valued products. Fish’s value that is traded internationally is around US$40 billion annually.

Despite this immense significance and value and importance, or perhaps due to these characteristics that fish resources around the world suffer the impacts of heavy exploitation and sometimes chris hsu kilometre capital environmental degradation. It is estimated by the FAO (2000) reported that in 1999, 47 percent of the 441 fish stocks for which data about their status was available could be fully exploited. while 18% were overexploited, 9 percent depleted, and 1% recovering. 

This pattern is generally consistent with similar figures that are available from other regions. For instance The National Marine Fisheries Service of the United States of America estimated in 1998 that 30% of the fisheries within the water of this country, for which data was available were under-fished. For the water of the European Community, it was estimated that in the year 1990, five-seven percent of fish stocks were being ‘heavily exploited’. Fish stocks across the the globe will likely be in similar situation to those of these regions.

There are a myriad of reasons to explain this shambles situation and the most important reason is the lack of fisheries management in the majority of countries. The blame for the declining stock and declining economic returns as well as job opportunities in fishing should be shared between the fishers, the managers of fisheries, researchers and other stakeholders in the process of environmental degradation. 

Many of the root issues lie within the domain of fisheries management. However, managers of the fishing industry are usually the one who is usually in a position to monitor and document what’s happening in the fisheries within their jurisdiction and to determine the root reasons for the problems, and to fix the ones that fall within their control and bring other issues into the view of the parties involved in fishing as well as those responsible for to address external factors. 

Yet, most of the time, the manager of fisheries is either ignorant of the condition of the resources or is unable to take action when the fisheries slide ever further into decline and crisis or either. It is seldom an ever intentional choice, and often is due to an insufficient amount of information and a lack of knowledge about the nature of managing fisheries, and insufficient resources, structures, and resources to deal with the issues and utilize these resources in a systematic and efficient way.

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