Sustainability: A flawed concept for fisheries management?

Abstract

The concept of sustainable fishing is well ingrained in marine conservation and marine governance. However, I argue that the concept is deeply flawed; ecologically, socially and economically. Sustainability is strongly related, both historically and currently, to maximum long-term economic exploitation of a system. Counter-intuitively, in fisheries, achieving this economic exploitation often relies on government subsidies. While many fish populations are not sustainably fished biologically, even ‘sustainably harvesting’ fish results in major ecological changes to marine systems. These changes create unknown damage to ecosystem processes, including carbon capture potential of the ocean. The spatial scale of commercial fishing processes can also lead to social and food security issues in local, coastal communities that rely on fish for dietary needs. A radical alternative proposal is provided to the current situation. Ultimately, offshore fishing should be stopped completely and fish catches should rely instead on inshore fisheries. While such an approach may require a change in thinking and human behaviour regarding fish, I demonstrate that there are many benefits of this approach, including ecological, social and to local coastal economies, and few negatives, although management measures and coastal marine protected areas to protect vulnerable species and habitats would still be required. As such, the approach suggested is much more akin to a holistic definition of sustainability or ‘prevention of ecological harm’, rather than the maximum long-term exploitation of an ecosystem which is an underlying assumption of much fisheries and conservation research. While the suggestions in the study would benefit from further ecological, social and economic modelling, any movement towards restricting offshore catches should provide some degree of the benefits detailed.

Analysis of the Role of Oil and Gas Companies in Implementing the Achievements of SDGs 14 and 17 Through the Fish Cultivation Program in the Kepulauan Anambas District

“…Of the benefits and challenges of aquaculture activities that have been running so far, as many as 93.85% are in the category of strongly agreeing with the statement that aquaculture has an economic impact on society, as well as the environment as much as 90.77% of respondents are in the category of strongly agreeing that aquaculture provides benefits for the environment, then regarding the challenges faced, including climate change being the most significant challenge which was recognized by 87.69% of respondents in the category of strongly agreeing with this statement, on the other hand, government policies mainly in aquaculture and capture fisheries are considered to be a challenge by 67.69% of respondents, matters This certainly requires further study so that there is good alignment between policies and the potential for commodities owned by each region. regarding sustainable development achievements based on fishermen's perceptions, as many as 84.62% of respondents in the Vol.2, No.10, September 2023 category strongly agree that aquaculture is part of an effort to protect the aquatic environment, with the support of an attitude statement explaining that aquaculture is felt to be able to increase the capacity of fishermen, this is recognized by 89.23% of respondents in category strongly agree with the statement (Stafford, 2019). Apart from that, another important factor is the indicator that aquaculture is a supporting factor for the achievement of partnerships to achieve goals, this statement was recognized by 87.69% of respondents in the strongly agree category.…”

Impact of stock health on fish prices: Evaluation and implications for food accessibility

“…While much progress has been made in recent years by managing institutions, they are limited by the fact that by involving multiple stakeholders, conflicts of interest arise among them, slowing down their action and jeopardising their objective of sustainability. As pointed by Stafford [ 31 ], while the interest of scientist is the sustainability of the fishing grounds, fishers seek economical sustainability, and local governments seek the benefit for their region. This effect is greater in the case of international fisheries, where stakeholders are spread through different countries, and various governments are involved [ 32 ].…”

Integrating human and ecological dimensions: The importance of stakeholders’ perceptions and participation on the performance of fisheries co-management in Chile

“…Nevertheless, data availability for artisanal fisheries is poor and it is therefore difficult to understand and effectively manage such fisheries, which are also poorly regulated [ 4 ]. In addition, the drive for short-term gains generates fishing impacts such as resource depletion and loss of biodiversity [ 9 ].…”