A BRIEF HISTORY OF A BRIEF HISTORY OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENTFISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Introduction to Fisheries Introduction to Fisheries Management Management

WMAN 445WMAN 445

August 24, 2006August 24, 2006

Common PropertyCommon Property

Resources owned by the entire Resources owned by the entire populace without restriction as to who populace without restriction as to who can use them and how.can use them and how.

Very “Colonial” and “Republican”Very “Colonial” and “Republican”

Works when supply >> demandWorks when supply >> demand

Differed greatly from EuropeDiffered greatly from Europe

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the Commons(Hardin 1968)(Hardin 1968)

Sheep farmers graze sheep on a common Sheep farmers graze sheep on a common pasture…pasture…

Net Economic Gain = Benefit – CostNet Economic Gain = Benefit – Cost

Benefits are individual, costs are shared Benefits are individual, costs are shared by all users.by all users.

Missed Opportunity Costs are transferred Missed Opportunity Costs are transferred to the next generation and shared.to the next generation and shared.

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the Commons(Hardin 1968)(Hardin 1968)

The tragedy is that a logical herdsman is The tragedy is that a logical herdsman is compelled to increase his herd without compelled to increase his herd without limit. limit.

Therefore, even the most conscientious Therefore, even the most conscientious herder will misuse a common resource.herder will misuse a common resource.

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the CommonsApplied to FisheriesApplied to Fisheries

Fishermen are compelled to harvest as many fish Fishermen are compelled to harvest as many fish as possible, because the benefit is direct and as possible, because the benefit is direct and unshared and the costs are shared.unshared and the costs are shared.

The history of Fish Management is a chronicle of The history of Fish Management is a chronicle of governmental attempts to control the governmental attempts to control the logical logical overexploitation of common propertyoverexploitation of common property..

Colonial AmericaColonial America(1600’s-1700’s)(1600’s-1700’s)

Extremely aggressive resource useExtremely aggressive resource use

Notion that coastal and inland fisheries were Notion that coastal and inland fisheries were limitless.limitless.

Colonization was largely fueled by Atlantic Cod.Colonization was largely fueled by Atlantic Cod.

Commercial market for cod in Europe and Commercial market for cod in Europe and southern US (feed slave labor) lead to the rise of southern US (feed slave labor) lead to the rise of the powerful merchant class in New England.the powerful merchant class in New England.

Colonial AmericaColonial America(1600’s-1700’s)(1600’s-1700’s)

Aggressive exploitation led to severe Aggressive exploitation led to severe degradation in heavily populated areasdegradation in heavily populated areas

This led to a need for managementThis led to a need for management

The view that natural resources as a vast, The view that natural resources as a vast, invulnerable resource took a hitinvulnerable resource took a hit

Colonial AmericaColonial America(1600’s-1700’s)(1600’s-1700’s)

1652:1652: First known law in North America First known law in North America related to fishing. Massachusetts law related to fishing. Massachusetts law restricting fish catches. Response to restricting fish catches. Response to dramatically declining catch rates of dramatically declining catch rates of striped bass and Atlantic cod in the Boston striped bass and Atlantic cod in the Boston area.area.

Colonial AmericaColonial America(1600’s-1700’s)(1600’s-1700’s)

General Rule of Colonial Era:General Rule of Colonial Era:

Resources are limitless, but if that proves to Resources are limitless, but if that proves to be untrue…then move West!be untrue…then move West!

1800’s and the Industrial 1800’s and the Industrial RevolutionRevolution

1.1. Alteration of Rivers for NavigationAlteration of Rivers for Navigation

2.2. Explosion of the Human PopulationExplosion of the Human Population

(mostly immigration)(mostly immigration)

3.3. Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution

C&O CanalC&O Canal

Commercial Fishing increased Commercial Fishing increased exponentiallyexponentially

Canning and refrigerationCanning and refrigeration

RailroadRailroad

Large Scale TimberingLarge Scale Timbering

1800’s and the Industrial 1800’s and the Industrial RevolutionRevolution

Increased demand for fishIncreased demand for fishIncreased ability to catch fishIncreased ability to catch fishIncreased ability to store surplus*Increased ability to store surplus*Increased ability to transport product globallyIncreased ability to transport product globally

Result is a classic un-sustainable positive Result is a classic un-sustainable positive feedback mechanism (increased harvest feedback mechanism (increased harvest leads to increased demand leads to increased leads to increased demand leads to increased harvest leads to…crash!)harvest leads to…crash!)

1800’s and the Industrial 1800’s and the Industrial RevolutionRevolution

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution

…….CRASH!.CRASH!

Several Major Fisheries Crashed at the Several Major Fisheries Crashed at the end of the 1800’send of the 1800’s

Brook TroutBrook Trout (deforestation, overfishing) (deforestation, overfishing)

Chinook SalmonChinook Salmon (overfishing) (overfishing)

Atlantic SalmonAtlantic Salmon (overfishing, dams) (overfishing, dams)

Sperm WhalesSperm Whales (overfishing) (overfishing)

Salmon Salmon Fishing Fishing

(Late 1800’s)(Late 1800’s)

Grist Mill DamGrist Mill Dam

Whaling VesselWhaling Vessel

Spruce Forests Spruce Forests of WVof WV

Circa 1850Circa 1850

Moving Trees prior to RailroadMoving Trees prior to Railroad

Moving Trees prior to RailroadMoving Trees prior to Railroad

Monongahela River

Greenbrier River

Logging and the Geared Logging and the Geared LocomotiveLocomotive

Logging and the Geared Logging and the Geared LocomotiveLocomotive

Blackwater Falls

In response to fisheries collapses and the In response to fisheries collapses and the wholesale loss of fish and wildlife wholesale loss of fish and wildlife habitats…habitats…

18701870 AMERICAN FISH CULTURALISTS AMERICAN FISH CULTURALISTS ASSOCIATION (now AFS)ASSOCIATION (now AFS)

18711871 US COMMISSION ON FISH AND US COMMISSION ON FISH AND FISHERIES (now USFWS)FISHERIES (now USFWS)

1800’s and the Industrial 1800’s and the Industrial RevolutionRevolution

American Fish Culturalists AssociationAmerican Fish Culturalists AssociationEstablished to promote fish culture as a cure for Established to promote fish culture as a cure for

the widespread destruction of Fisheriesthe widespread destruction of Fisheries

US Commission on Fish and FisheriesUS Commission on Fish and FisheriesEstablished to investigate nationwide declines in Established to investigate nationwide declines in

commercial fisheriescommercial fisheriesPrimary focus was on the culture and Primary focus was on the culture and

distribution of fish throughout the US.distribution of fish throughout the US.

1800’s and the Industrial 1800’s and the Industrial RevolutionRevolution

Resulted in an orgy of species introductions across North Resulted in an orgy of species introductions across North AmericaAmerica

1)1) Rainbow Trout (Pacific Slope to Nationwide)Rainbow Trout (Pacific Slope to Nationwide)

2)2) Striped Bass (Atlantic Slope to Nationwide)Striped Bass (Atlantic Slope to Nationwide)

3)3) Chinook and Sockeye Salmon (Pacific to Great Lakes)Chinook and Sockeye Salmon (Pacific to Great Lakes)

4)4) Brown Trout (Europe to North America)Brown Trout (Europe to North America)

5)5) Brook Trout (Appalachians and upper Midwest to Brook Trout (Appalachians and upper Midwest to Western US)Western US)

6)6) Largemouth Bass (Atlantic Slope and Mississippi Basin Largemouth Bass (Atlantic Slope and Mississippi Basin to Western US)to Western US)

1800’s and the Industrial 1800’s and the Industrial RevolutionRevolution

Early 1900’sEarly 1900’s

Ecological Nightmare in North America Ecological Nightmare in North America (continental deforestation and heavy (continental deforestation and heavy overfishing).overfishing).

Realization that Natural Resources could Realization that Natural Resources could not be managed as Common Property.not be managed as Common Property.

Rise of a Rise of a Conservation EthicConservation Ethic

Early 1900’sEarly 1900’s

1908 Governor’s Conference1908 Governor’s Conference

meeting with President T. Roosevelt to meeting with President T. Roosevelt to discuss issues of Natural Resources discuss issues of Natural Resources and Conservationand Conservation

Gifford PinchotGifford Pinchot (first chief of the USFS) (first chief of the USFS)

Early 1900’sEarly 1900’s

Wise Use ParadigmWise Use Paradigm

Natural resources should be Natural resources should be managedmanaged for for long-term value. The role of the resource long-term value. The role of the resource manager is to manager is to conserveconserve the capacity of the capacity of natural resources to produce natural resources to produce human valuehuman value indefinitely.indefinitely.

ANTHROPOCENTRIC CONSERVATION ETHICANTHROPOCENTRIC CONSERVATION ETHIC

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Rise of Quantitative Ecology and Rise of Quantitative Ecology and Population Dynamics TheoryPopulation Dynamics Theory

Filtered over into Fisheries ManagementFiltered over into Fisheries Management

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Maximum Sustainable YieldMaximum Sustainable Yield

Maximum harvest level that a Maximum harvest level that a population can afford based on the population can afford based on the natural dynamics of the population.natural dynamics of the population.

ConservationistConservationist and and AnthropocentricAnthropocentric

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Maximum Sustainable YieldMaximum Sustainable Yield

AssumptionsAssumptions1.1. In absence of harvest, populations grow to an In absence of harvest, populations grow to an

equilibrium population size.equilibrium population size.2.2. Fish populations exhibit high natural mortality rates, Fish populations exhibit high natural mortality rates,

especially at high densities.especially at high densities.3.3. If populations are below carrying capacity, then If populations are below carrying capacity, then

density-dependent mortality decreases, leading to density-dependent mortality decreases, leading to an increase in population growth rates.an increase in population growth rates.

4.4. Therefore, a certain amount of the population can be Therefore, a certain amount of the population can be harvested without affecting the population over a harvested without affecting the population over a long term.long term.

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Maximum Sustainable YieldMaximum Sustainable Yield

BenefitsBenefits

1.1. Gave a focused objective to fisheries Gave a focused objective to fisheries management.management.

2.2. Based on cutting edge ecological Based on cutting edge ecological theory.theory.

3.3. Led to a new field of “Fisheries Science”Led to a new field of “Fisheries Science”

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Maximum Sustainable YieldMaximum Sustainable Yield

Fisheries ScienceFisheries Science

1.1. Extremely mathematical field devoted to Extremely mathematical field devoted to applying MSY theory to real fisheries.applying MSY theory to real fisheries.

2.2. Development of “Stock Assessment” Development of “Stock Assessment” procedures.procedures.

3.3. Data HungryData Hungry

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Maximum Sustainable YieldMaximum Sustainable Yield

SOUNDS GOOD RIGHT? ….SOUNDS GOOD RIGHT? ….

TOO BAD IT DOESN’T WORKTOO BAD IT DOESN’T WORK

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Spectacular Failures of MSYSpectacular Failures of MSY

1.1. Peruvian Anchovy (Peruvian Anchovy (Engraulis ringensEngraulis ringens))

2.2. Norwegian Herring (Norwegian Herring (ClupeaClupea))

3.3. North Atlantic CodNorth Atlantic Cod

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Mid 1900’sMid 1900’s

Lessons to be Learned about MSYLessons to be Learned about MSY

1.1. Recruitment and natural mortality in fish populations Recruitment and natural mortality in fish populations are extremely variable and are characterized by are extremely variable and are characterized by occasional recruitment failures (“year class occasional recruitment failures (“year class phenomenon”).phenomenon”).

2.2. MSY assumes that environmental factors do not MSY assumes that environmental factors do not influence recruitment and survival, only density influence recruitment and survival, only density affects these population attributes.affects these population attributes.

3.3. MSY requires fast action. Managers must be able to MSY requires fast action. Managers must be able to reduce fishing pressure immediately.reduce fishing pressure immediately.

Late 1900’s and Early 2000’sLate 1900’s and Early 2000’s

Rise of Ecosystem ManagementRise of Ecosystem Management

Based on Leopold’s “Land Ethic” Based on Leopold’s “Land Ethic” instead of the “Wise Use” ethic of instead of the “Wise Use” ethic of PinchotPinchot

Late 1900’s and Early 2000’sLate 1900’s and Early 2000’s

2 Principles of Leopold’s Ethic2 Principles of Leopold’s Ethic

1.1. Humanity is best served by preserving natural life Humanity is best served by preserving natural life support systems.support systems.

2.2. Indigenous ecological systems have intrinsic value Indigenous ecological systems have intrinsic value that should be respected.that should be respected.

ANTHROPOCENTRIC and INTRINSIC ETHICANTHROPOCENTRIC and INTRINSIC ETHIC

Late 1900’s and Early 2000’sLate 1900’s and Early 2000’s

Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem ManagementManagement

Olver et al. 1995Olver et al. 1995““The objective of modern fisheries management The objective of modern fisheries management should be the protection, maintenance, and should be the protection, maintenance, and rehabilitation of native biota, their habitats, and rehabilitation of native biota, their habitats, and life-support systems to ensure ecosystem life-support systems to ensure ecosystem sustainability.”sustainability.”

Late 1900’s and Early 2000’sLate 1900’s and Early 2000’s

Modern Fisheries Management as Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem ManagementEcosystem Management

(Olver et al. 1995)(Olver et al. 1995)

Fundamental PrincipleFundamental PrincipleAquatic ecosystems should be managed to Aquatic ecosystems should be managed to ensure the long-term sustainability of native ensure the long-term sustainability of native fish stocksfish stocks

Late 1900’s and Early 2000’sLate 1900’s and Early 2000’s

Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem ManagementManagement

(Olver et al. 1995)(Olver et al. 1995)

Principles of Ecosystem ProtectionPrinciples of Ecosystem Protection1.1. The sustainability of fish stocks requires The sustainability of fish stocks requires

protection of the specific physical and chemical protection of the specific physical and chemical habitat utilized by members of that stock.habitat utilized by members of that stock.

2.2. The sustainability of a fish stock requires the The sustainability of a fish stock requires the maintenance of its supporting native maintenance of its supporting native community.community.

Late 1900’s and Early 2000’sLate 1900’s and Early 2000’s

Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem Modern Fisheries Management as Ecosystem ManagementManagement

(Olver et al. 1995)(Olver et al. 1995)

Principles of Population UtilizationPrinciples of Population Utilization1.1. Vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species Vulnerable, threatened, and endangered species

must be rigidly protected from all anthropogenic must be rigidly protected from all anthropogenic stresses.stresses.

2.2. Exploitation of populations undergoing rehabilitation Exploitation of populations undergoing rehabilitation will delay, and may preclude full rehabilitation.will delay, and may preclude full rehabilitation.

3.3. Harvest must not exceed the regeneration rate of a Harvest must not exceed the regeneration rate of a population (MSY).population (MSY).

4.4. Direct exploitation of spawning aggregations Direct exploitation of spawning aggregations increases the risk to sustainability.increases the risk to sustainability.