The Management of Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems
25 Jul 1997-Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science)-Vol. 277, Iss: 5325, pp 509-515
TL;DR: In this article, a more holistic approach incorporating interspecific interactions and physical environmental influences would contribute to greater sustainability by reducing the uncertainty in predictions and transforming the management process to reduce the influence of pressure for greater harvest holds more immediate promise.
Abstract: The global marine fish catch is approaching its upper limit. The number of overfished populations, as well as the indirect effects of fisheries on marine ecosystems, indicate that management has failed to achieve a principal goal, sustainability. This failure is primarily due to continually increasing harvest rates in response to incessant sociopolitical pressure for greater harvests and the intrinsic uncertainty in predicting the harvest that will cause population collapse. A more holistic approach incorporating interspecific interactions and physical environmental influences would contribute to greater sustainability by reducing the uncertainty in predictions. However, transforming the management process to reduce the influence of pressure for greater harvest holds more immediate promise.
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Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute1, University of California, San Diego2, State Street Corporation3, University of Florida4, University of California, Davis5, Bates College6, Australian National University7, University of Oregon8, University of California, Santa Cruz9, James Cook University10, University of Chicago11, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill12, National Museum of Natural History13, University of Maine14, University of California, Santa Barbara15
TL;DR: Paleoecological, archaeological, and historical data show that time lags of decades to centuries occurred between the onset of overfishing and consequent changes in ecological communities, because unfished species of similar trophic level assumed the ecological roles of over-fished species until they too were overfished or died of epidemic diseases related to overcrowding as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Ecological extinction caused by overfishing precedes all other pervasive human disturbance to coastal ecosystems, including pollution, degradation of water quality, and anthropogenic climate change. Historical abundances of large consumer species were fantastically large in comparison with recent observations. Paleoecological, archaeological, and historical data show that time lags of decades to centuries occurred between the onset of overfishing and consequent changes in ecological communities, because unfished species of similar trophic level assumed the ecological roles of overfished species until they too were overfished or died of epidemic diseases related to overcrowding. Retrospective data not only help to clarify underlying causes and rates of ecological change, but they also demonstrate achievable goals for restoration and management of coastal ecosystems that could not even be contemplated based on the limited perspective of recent observations alone.
5,411 citations
TL;DR: Two brief case studies demonstrate that nutrient loading restriction is the essential cornerstone of aquatic eutrophication control, and results of a preliminary statistical analysis are presented consistent with the hypothesis that anthropogenic emissions of oxidized nitrogen could be influencing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide via nitrogen stimulation of global primary production.
2,702 citations
Cites background from "The Management of Fisheries and Mar..."
...…have signi®cantly altered the composition of many natural biological communities by harvesting activities, and by the unintentional and the deliberate introduction of non-native species (Bottsford et al., 1997; Chapin et al., 1997; Dobson et al., 1997; Matson et al., 1997; Noble and Dirzo, 1997)....
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...In addition, we have signi®cantly altered the composition of many natural biological communities by harvesting activities, and by the unintentional and the deliberate introduction of non-native species (Bottsford et al., 1997; Chapin et al., 1997; Dobson et al., 1997; Matson et al., 1997; Noble and Dirzo, 1997)....
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TL;DR: The ecosystem response to the 1989 spill of oil from the Exxon Valdez into Prince William Sound, Alaska, shows that current practices for assessing ecological risks of oil in the oceans and, by extension, other toxic sources should be changed.
Abstract: The ecosystem response to the 1989 spill of oil from the Exxon Valdez into Prince William Sound, Alaska, shows that current practices for assessing ecological risks of oil in the oceans and, by extension, other toxic sources should be changed. Previously, it was assumed that impacts to populations derive almost exclusively from acute mortality. However, in the Alaskan coastal ecosystem, unexpected persistence of toxic subsurface oil and chronic exposures, even at sublethal levels, have continued to affect wildlife. Delayed population reductions and cascades of indirect effects postponed recovery. Development of ecosystem-based toxicology is required to understand and ultimately predict chronic, delayed, and indirect long-term risks and impacts.
1,387 citations
TL;DR: Open-area models highlight priority areas for shark conservation, and the need to consider effort reallocation and site selection if marine reserves are to benefit multiple threatened species.
Abstract: Overexploitation threatens the future of many large vertebrates. In the ocean, tunas and sea turtles are current conservation concerns because of this intense pressure. The status of most shark species, in contrast, remains uncertain. Using the largest data set in the Northwest Atlantic, we show rapid large declines in large coastal and oceanic shark populations. Scalloped hammerhead, white, and thresher sharks are each estimated to have declined by over 75% in the past 15 years. Closed-area models highlight priority areas for shark conservation, and the need to consider effort reallocation and site selection if marine reserves are to benefit multiple threatened species.
1,181 citations
TL;DR: Detailed examination of the effects of pollution inputs, the loss and alteration of estuarine habitat, and the role of other anthropogenic stress indicates that water quality in estuaries, particularly urbanized systems, is often compromised by the overloading of nutrients and organic matter, the influx of pathogens and the accumulation of chemical contaminants.
Abstract: Estuaries exhibit a wide array of human impacts that can compromise their ecological integrity, because of rapid population growth and uncontrolled development in many coastal regions worldwide. Long-term environmental problems plaguing estuaries require remedial actions to improve the viability and health of these valuable coastal systems. Detailed examination of the effects of pollution inputs, the loss and alteration of estuarine habitat, and the role of other anthropogenic stress indicates that water quality in estuaries, particularly urbanized systems, is often compromised by the overloading of nutrients and organic matter, the influx of pathogens, and the accumulation of chemical contaminants. In addition, the destruction of fringing wetlands and the loss and alteration of estuarine habitats usually degrade biotic communities. Estuaries are characterized by high population densities of microbes, plankton, benthic flora and fauna, and nekton; however, these organisms tend to be highly vulnerable to human activities in coastal watersheds and adjoining embayments. Trends suggest that by 2025 estuaries will be most significantly impacted by habitat loss and alteration associated with a burgeoning coastal population, which is expected to approach six billion people. Habitat destruction has far reaching ecological consequences, modifying the structure, function, and controls of estuarine ecosystems and contributing to the decline of biodiversity. Other anticipated high priority problems are excessive nutrient and sewage inputs to estuaries, principally from land-based sources. These inputs will lead to the greater incidence of eutrophication as well as hypoxia and anoxia. During the next 25 years, overfishing is expected to become a more pervasive and significant anthropogenic factor, also capable of mediating global-scale change to estuaries. Chemical contaminants, notably synthetic organic compounds, will remain a serious problem, especially in heavily industrialized areas. Freshwater diversions appear to be an emerging global problem as the expanding coastal population places greater demands on limited freshwater supplies for agricultural, domestic, and industrial needs. Altered freshwater flows could significantly affect nutrient loads, biotic community structure, and the trophodynamics of estuarine systems. Ecological impacts that will be less threatening, but still damaging, are those caused by introduced species, sea level rise, coastal subsidence, and debris/litter. Although all of these disturbances can alter habitats and contribute to shifts in the composition of estuarine biotic communities, the overall effect will be partial changes to these ecosystem components. Several strategies may mitigate future impacts.
1,048 citations
Cites background from "The Management of Fisheries and Mar..."
...The overexploitation of fisheries resources in estuarine and coastal marine waters is a growing concern because of the widespread decline in finfish and shellfish populations of recreational and commercial importance (Botsford et al. 1997) and because of the potential imbalances arising in ecosystem function and overall community structure ( Jennings & Kaiser 1998; Pinnegar et al....
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...…marine waters is a growing concern because of the widespread decline in finfish and shellfish populations of recreational and commercial importance (Botsford et al. 1997) and because of the potential imbalances arising in ecosystem function and overall community structure ( Jennings & Kaiser 1998;…...
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References
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Book•
01 Jan 1990TL;DR: In this paper, an institutional approach to the study of self-organization and self-governance in CPR situations is presented, along with a framework for analysis of selforganizing and selfgoverning CPRs.
Abstract: Preface 1. Reflections on the commons 2. An institutional approach to the study of self-organization and self-governance in CPR situations 3. Analyzing long-enduring, self-organized and self-governed CPRs 4. Analyzing institutional change 5. Analyzing institutional failures and fragilities 6. A framework for analysis of self-organizing and self-governing CPRs Notes References Index.
16,852 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1992
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of stock assessment in fisheries management is discussed and a stock assessment and management work is performed in order to estimate the stock of fishes in a fishery.
Abstract: I Introduction.- 1 Role of Stock Assessment in Fisheries Management.- 2 Objectives of Fisheries Management.- II Behavior of Fisheries.- 3 Behavior of Exploited Populations.- 4 The Dynamics of Fishing Fleets.- III Estimation of Parameters.- 5 Observing Fish Populations.- 6 Relating Models to Data: Parameter Estimation.- 7 Stock and Recruitment.- 8 Biomass Dynamic Models.- 9 Delay Difference Models.- 10 Virtual Population Analysis.- 11 Statistical Catch-at-age Methods.- 12 Depletion Estimates of Population Size and Turnover.- 13 Analysis of Body-size and Growth Data.- 14 Multispecies Analysis.- IV Managing Fisheries.- 15 Harvest Strategies and Tactics.- 16 Optimization.- 17 Designing Adaptive Management Policies.- 18 Making Stock Assessment and Management Work.- Author Index.
3,809 citations
TL;DR: This article showed that primary productivity in more diverse plant communities is more resistant to, and recovers more fully from, a major drought and that each additional species lost from our grasslands had a progressively greater impact on drought resistance.
Abstract: One of the ecological tenets justifying conservation of biodiversity is that diversity begets stability. Impacts of biodiversity on population dynamics and ecosystem functioning have long been debated1–7, however, with many theoretical explorations2–6,8–11 but few field studies12–15. Here we describe a long-term study of grasslands16,17 which shows that primary productivity in more diverse plant communities is more resistant to, and recovers more fully from, a major drought. The curvilinear relationship we observe suggests that each additional species lost from our grasslands had a progressively greater impact on drought resistance. Our results support the diversity—stability hypothesis5,6,18,19, but not the alternative hypothesis that most species are functionally redundant19–21. This study implies that the preservation of biodiversity is essential for the maintenance of stable productivity in ecosystems.
1,941 citations
TL;DR: This list of scientists and lecturers from the United States and Canada who have contributed to the scientific literature over the past 25 years has been compiled.
Abstract: Mary E. Power is a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720. David Tilman is a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. James A. Estes is a wildlife biologist in the National Biological Service, Institute of Marine Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064. Bruce A. Menge is a professor in the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331. William J. Bond is a professor doctor in the Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700 South Africa. L. Scott Mills is an assistant professor in the Wildlife Biology Program, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812. Gretchen Daily is Bing Interdisciplinary Research Scientist, Department of Biological Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. Juan Carlos Castilla is a full professor and marine biology head in Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago, Chile. Jane Lubchenco is a distinguished professor in the Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331. Robert T. Paine is a professor in the Department of Zoology, NJ-15, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. ? 1996 American Institute of Biological Sciences. A keystone species is
1,724 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the mean of reported annual world fisheries catches for 1988-1991 (94.3 million t) was split into 39 species groups, to which fractional trophic levels, ranging from 1.0 (edible algae) to 4.2 (tunas), were assigned, based on 48 published Trophic models, providing a global coverage of six major aquatic ecosystem types.
Abstract: THE mean of reported annual world fisheries catches for 1988-1991 (94.3 million t) was split into 39 species groups, to which fractional trophic levels, ranging from 1.0 (edible algae) to 4.2 (tunas), were assigned, based on 48 published trophic models, providing a global coverage of six major aquatic ecosystem types. The primary production required to sustain each group of species was then computed based on a mean energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels of 10%, a value that was reestimated rather than assumed. The primary production required to sustain the reported catches, plus 27 million t of discarded bycatch, amounted to 8.0% of global aquatic primary production, nearly four times the previous estimate. By ecosystem type, the requirements were only 2% for open ocean systems, but ranged from 24 to 35% in fresh water, upwelling and shelf systems, justifying current concerns for sustainability and biodiversity.
1,590 citations