Stock enhancement as a fisheries management tool (original) (raw)
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General aspects of stock enhancement in fisheries developments
To maximise the potential benefi ts to fi sheries from stock enhancement, and to address the above criticisms, a responsible and ecologically sustainable approach should be adopted for all stocking programs. This requires, clear and well-defi ned objectives, an a priori evaluation of the need for stocking, well-formulated stocking strategies that consider the risks, benefi ts, the water to be stocked, and the fi sh to be used (e.g. species used, source of fi sh, size of fi sh, and number stocked). Equally important is the evaluation of stocking success in terms harvest yields as well as social, economic and cultural benefi ts. Other fi sheries management measures will also need to be implemented to support stock enhancement, such as fi sheries policies, regulations and guidelines for dealing with property and access rights. There are also technical aspects to consider, such as managing the stocked water bodies, harvesting, marketing, and education and training for participating communities.
Responsible Approach to Marine Stock Enhancement: An Update
Reviews in Fisheries Science 18(2):189-210 (2010) Marine stock enhancement is a set of management approaches involving the release of cultured organisms to enhance or restore fisheries. Such practices including sea ranching, stock enhancement and restocking are widespread, of variable success, and often controversial. A set of principles aimed at promoting responsible development of restocking, stock enhancement and sea ranching has been proposed by Blankenship and Leber 1995 (American Fisheries Society Symposia 15: 167-175), and has gained widespread acceptance as the ‘Responsible Approach’. Fisheries science and management in general, and many aspects of fisheries enhancement have developed rapidly since the responsible approach was first formulated. Here we provide an update to the Responsible Approach in the light of these developments. The updated approach emphasizes the needs for taking a broad and integrated view of the role of enhancements within fisheries management systems; using a stakeholder participatory and scientifically informed, accountable planning process; and assessing the potential contribution of enhancement and alternative or additional measures to fisheries management goals early on in the development or reform process. Progress in fisheries assessment methods applicable to enhancements and in fisheries governance provides the means for practical implementation of the updated approach.
Marine Policy, 2019
Stock enhancements are commonly advocated as a solution to declining fish populations. They consist of releasing hatchery individuals in the wild, to increase stock abundance and provide socioeconomic benefits. Some argue that stock enhancement science focusses too narrowly on technical and economic aspects, with insufficient investigations of the social impacts (positive and negative) on local communities. The present study investigated the potential impacts the planned Marava (Siganus argenteus) stock enhancement could have on local fishers from Taiarapu (French Polynesia). Ninety-six local fishers were interviewed, using semi-structured questionnaires, to gather information on the data-poor coastal fishery, the importance of Marava as a target species, and the fishers' perceptions of stock enhancement and of the fisheries management regime. Fishers reported overall finfish abundance to have declined and attributed this mainly to overfishing caused by the growing number of fishers, undersized fish being caught, and pollution. Results suggested that wild Marava was insignificant within this coastal fishery, as it was rarely caught. Although 90.6% of the interviewees approved of enhancing Marava stocks, this intervention was thought unlikely to enhance fishers' livelihoods through mitigating overharvesting (particularly due to certain fishing practices including night spearfishing and harvesting juveniles). Our results also showed that coastal fishers were more concerned with inequalities between different stakeholders of the fishery, especially offshore fishers, under the current management regime than the state of the fishery and suggest that the local fisheries agency should attempt to address these existing inequalities before engaging in stock enhancement.
Effective fisheries management instrumental in improving fish stock status
Marine fish stocks are an important part of the world food system and are particularly important for many of the poorest people of the world. Most existing analyses suggest overfishing is increasing, and there is widespread concern that fish stocks are decreasing throughout most of the world. We assembled trends in abundance and harvest rate of stocks that are scientifically assessed, constituting half of the reported global marine fish catch. For these stocks, on average, abundance is increasing and is at proposed target levels. Compared with regions that are intensively managed, regions with less-developed fisheries management have, on average, 3-fold greater harvest rates and half the abundance as assessed stocks. Available evidence suggests that the regions without assessments of abundance have little fisheries management, and stocks are in poor shape. Increased application of area-appropriate fisheries science recommendations and management tools are still needed for sustaining fisheries in places where they are lacking.
Perspectives and Policy Recommendations on the Relevance of the Stock Concept to Fishery Management
Can J Fisheries Aquat Sci, 1981
1 . Perspectives and policy recommendations on the relevance of the stock concept to fishery management. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38: 1908-1914 The Stock Concept International Symposium BSTOCS) addressed a broad range of concerns about the relationship between intraspecific stocks and their genetic and environmental origins. STOCS produced an understanding of the stock concept that makes it possible to develop operational stock definitions reflecting the key elements of concern to fishery managers. These definitions can change as circun~stances dictatc because stocks represent states in a dynamic process. Extensive life history information available for Great Lakes fish provides a basis for estimating the significance of intraspecific stock structure in rneaeaagcment of these species. Recognition of the potential for stock formation is important for evaluating the impact of management actions and for planning the restoration of individual species in fishery rehabilitation programs. Finally, we present a brief set of recommendations for research and management based on our perception of the stock concept and its relevance to fish community rehabilitation. . Perspectives and policy recommendations on the relevance of the stock concept to fishery management. Can. J . Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38: 1908-I9 14.