Sustainable Quota
One way we can counter over-exploitation is by implementing sustainable quotas (NOAA). What sustainable quota means is that the amount you take is lower than the population growth rate at that time. This means that population size will continue to grow due to the input (new fish) of population is greater than the output (fish being harvested) of population. Having sustainable quota will set a limit to how much fish can be caught. There are two different types of sustainable quotas, constant quota exploitation and proportional exploitation. Constant quota exploitation sets a constant quota regardless of population growth rate. Proportional exploitation takes into account of the population growth rate and sets a quota to be a fixed fraction of the growth rate. Both methods will ensure sustainable yield. Constant quota would be more beneficial to the fishing industry while proportion quota would be more beneficial in maintaining high population sizes (Krosby). |
Blue curve indicates population growth rate. Y-axis indicates yield. X-axis indicates population size. Horizontal red dashed lines indicate quota. Vertical red dashed lines is just for guidance. Goal is to choose a quota under the blue curve, indicating sustainable yield, allowing population size to continue growing. Choosing quota above blue curve will cause population size to shift to the left.
Photo Credit: Meade Krosby
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Alternative Choices
One of the ways that we can help to reduce over-exploitation of certain species is by choosing another type of fish instead. By finding out which fishes are endangered and which are good alternatives, we can relieve the pressure of exploitation on some of the species (SF Watch). The Seafood Watch contains a list of great alternative and sustainable choices for people to choose from. It also contains a list of fish that you should avoid. An example of good alternatives to Bluefin tuna would be Albacore tuna or Yellowfin tuna (SF Watch). For alternatives to Atlantic salmon, Chinook and King are great choices (SF Watch). Other good choices in the Pacific Northwest include Bass, Halibut, Pacific cod, Trout and many more (SF Watch)! |
Aquaculture
Aquaculture or fish farming can help with countering over-exploitation (SF Watch). This is done by raising fishes in hatcheries until they are at a certain life stage. These fishes are then released into the ocean (Naylor). This ensures that fishes are raised in a constant and stable environment with no pressure from predators. These fishes then act as a supplement to the fishes that are in the ocean (Naylor). There are many different methods and forms of aquaculture. These can range from hatcheries, open net pens, ranching, and many more! There are pros and cons with some of the methods so it is important that people in the aquaculture industry use effective methods in order to help protect and sustain endangered species of fish (SF Watch). |