Many of the world’s fisheries are in trouble - they no longer yield the catches, and potential profits, they once did. The habitats that support fisheries have been damaged by pollution and other irresponsible use of coastal land. Destructive fishing methods like trawling and blast fishing have also changed fish habitats resulting in support of fewer fish.
The authors of Restocking and Stock Enhancement of Marine Invertebrate Fisheries draw on more than 1000 scientific papers covering 11 groups/species of marine invertebrates. From this large literature, they distill 20 lessons for assessing and guiding the use of restocking and stock enhancement in the management of invertebrate fisheries.
- Written by 7 expert authors
- Covers 11 groups/species of marine invertebrates
- Reviews over 1000 scientific papers
- Identifies 20 lessons that can be learned from past restocking and stock enhancement initiatives
- Proposes a new approach to assess the potential value of hatchery releases to complement other forms of management
- Assesses progress of disciple against the blueprint for a responsible approach
Many marine capture fisheries are in jeopardy due to chronic over-fishing and deterioration of habitats. Strong calls are being made to restore these valuable resources. Above all, this will require reducing fishing effort, and protecting and
repairing the habitats that underpin fisheries. However, scientists and managers alike are asking whether recent advances in hatchery technology can also be used to help restore damaged fisheries, or increase production of viable fisheries?
Restocking and Stock Enhancement of Marine Invertebrate Fisheries reviews efforts to use cultured juveniles to: (1) rebuild spawning biomass of severely depleted fisheries so they can once again support regular harvests – a process known as ‘restocking’; and (2) improve productivity of well-managed fisheries by increasing the supply of juveniles where natural recruitment is limited – a process called ‘stock enhancement’.
The authors draw on more than 1000 scientific papers covering 11 groups/species of marine invertebrates. From this large literature, they distill 20 lessons for assessing and guiding the use of restocking and stock enhancement in the management of invertebrate fisheries. Their careful analysis culminates in a new approach that focuses on answering the pivotal question “Will releases of cultured juveniles add value to other measures for rebuilding spawning biomass or increasing productivity?” The authors conclude that restocking and stock enhancement may not be appropriate for many marine fisheries, but will have the greatest applications among fisheries for invertebrates.
This book is essential reading for scientists and managers who wish to understand where, when and how the responsible release of cultured juveniles should be considered as an additional tool to restore and improve marine invertebrate fisheries.
