Financial beneficiaries of increased exploitation must share the responsibility for assessing impacts
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
5-2002
Conference Title
Regional Experiences for Global Solutions: 3rd World Recreational Fishing Conference, 2002
Place of Publication
Northern Territory
Disciplines
Agricultural Economics | Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology
Abstract
CATCH MORE FISH FASTER!! For many, this is the perceived goal of the majority of anglers. Employing a new product or fishing system may dramatically increase fishing efficiency of the general fishing public, thereby increasing exploitation rates – in simple terms, more fish will be caught. This new product may not only increase fishing efficiency, but will also apparently be so easy to use that more people may take up fishing simply because it looks too good to be true. Fishing really is fun! Thus, there may be an increase in effort, as well as an increase in efficiency. Given the traditionally poor knowledge-base regarding abundance of many wild populations of fish species, due to, for example, poor estimates of both effort and catch, our historical knowledge-base is becoming less and less useful. As increases in real effort become more difficult to keep track of, the historical information may even become irrelevant. Should the producer of the new wonder-product contribute to research into sustainability of the resources that the new product now makes easier to exploit? Part of the problem in answering this question is that because of the dramatic changes in efficiency, it remains very difficult to assess whether or not there is in fact a threat to sustainability of the targeted resources. Although the producer of the wonder-product is a business that makes money through sales of the product, ultimately their income depends on sustainability of fish. Indeed, it is in their interest to sell more product and, thus, to increase exploitation rates of fish. It therefore seems appropriate that the producers of the wonder–product contribute in a direct manner towards increasing our understanding of stock size and sustainability – it would be in their long term interests to do so.
Recommended Citation
Gaughan, D J.
(2002), Financial beneficiaries of increased exploitation must share the responsibility for assessing impacts, Regional Experiences for Global Solutions: 3rd World Recreational Fishing Conference, 2002, Northern Territory, pp.217-218.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/conf_papers/94
