Could our oceans be healthier? What can we do in order to create more sustainable fisheries? Scientists have found that improved fishing approaches could actually cause most of the world's wild fisheries to be considered healthy within just 10 years.
In this latest study, the researchers examined current fisheries and also how reforms could affect these fisheries. They found that applying improved fishing methods could increase profits from fisheries by 204 percent. That hugely outweighs an approach that continues with the same methods.
"We've uncovered a really important insight: There is urgency and a tremendous upside in reforming thousands of small-scale, community fisheries around the world," said Ray Hilborn, one of the researchers from the University of Washington. "The research adds to the body of work showing that most of the world's large fisheries are doing relatively well, but it emphasizes the critical need to rebuild local fisheries, most of which are in the developing world where millions depend on fisheries for food and their livelihoods."
The current study shows that with reformed fishing methods, it may be possible to cause fisheries to supply enough protein for an additional 500 million people. This is particularly important as the world's population grows and as more people compete for resources that are already being stressed.
"This research shows that we really can have our fish and eat them too," said Christopher Costello, the lead author of the new study. "We no longer need to see ocean fisheries as a series of trade-offs. In fact, we show that we can have more fish in the water, more food on the plate and more prosperous fishing communities - and it can happen relatively quickly."
But what exactly should fisheries do in order to reform? Scientists believe that it may be best to implement reforms based on secure fishing rights. This involves the use of catch limits.
"We now have a clear roadmap for how to recover fisheries: Give fishermen secure fishing rights so they can control and protect their future," said Amanda Leland, co-author of the new study. "Countries from the U.S. to Belize to Namibia are leading a turnaround by implementing secure fishing rights and realizing benefits for people and the oceans."
The findings are published in the March 2016 journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
