Posted: November 16th, 2023
Fisheries Science and Management
Fisheries Science and Management – Focuses on sustainable fisheries, stock assessments, ecosystem impacts, policy and certification.
Fisheries science and management is a field of study that focuses on the biology and ecology of fish and shellfish, as well as the protection, production, and management of fisheries. The main goal of fisheries science and management is to maintain long-term sustainable harvesting of aquatic resources, while considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts of fishing activities. Fisheries scientists and managers use various tools and methods to assess fish populations, habitats, diseases, genetics, and conservation strategies. They also conduct research, collect data, analyze statistics, write reports, and implement policies and programs to monitor and regulate fisheries. Fisheries science and management is an interdisciplinary field that draws from natural sciences, such as marine biology, ecology, physiology, and genetics; as well as social sciences, such as economics, sociology, and law.
Fisheries science and management is a relevant and important field in the context of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, and human development. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fish provide about 17% of the global animal protein intake for human consumption, and more than 3.3 billion people depend on fish for at least 20% of their animal protein intake (FAO 2020). However, many fish stocks are overexploited or depleted due to factors such as overfishing, habitat degradation, invasive species, pollution, and illegal fishing. The FAO estimates that 34.2% of the global fish stocks are fished at biologically unsustainable levels, while only 65.8% are fished at biologically sustainable levels (FAO 2020). Therefore, fisheries science and management is essential for ensuring the health and productivity of aquatic ecosystems, as well as the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people who depend on them.
Works Cited
“Fisheries Sciences and Management Overview – CareerExplorer.” CareerExplorer.com. https://www.careerexplorer.com/degrees/fisheries-sciences-and-management-degree/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
“Fisheries Science and Management | University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.” Seas.umich.edu. https://seas.umich.edu/academics/courses/fisheries-science-and-management. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
“Fishery Science – Sustainable Fisheries UW.” Sustainablefisheries-uw.org. https://sustainablefisheries-uw.org/seafood-101/fishery-science/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.
“State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020.” FAO.org. http://www.fao.org/state-of-fisheries-aquaculture/en/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.