Managing fish stocks

National governance (3)

• setting quotas

• Issuing fishing permits

• Setting seasonal restrictions

Setting quotas

limiting the quantity of a specific fish species or total catch. These quotas can be assigned to individual fishermen, fishing vessels or communities.

Issuing fishing permits

granting individuals or groups the right to fish. These permits detail the type of fishing, allowed zones for fishing, mesh sizes, and time period.

setting seasonal restrictions

temporary bans during breeding seasons, for example, protect reproductive cycles, ensuring recovery of fish stocks. 

lobbying

Attempting to influence government policies or decisions in favour of specific people, organisations, or causes.

ghost fishing

The entanglement and killing of marine life by abandoned or lost fishing gear, such as nets and traps.

blast fishing

A fishing method that uses explosives to stun or kill fish.

marine protected regions

Region in the ocean where human activities, such as fishing or development, are regulated to conserve and protect marine ecosystems. MPAs provide a safe place for aquatic organisms to move, feed, mate and raise their young. By providing 

spawning grounds where different species can reproduce without human disturbance, they support population growth.

aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants.

aquaculture has some negative impacts

• harm to local habitats

• discharge of uneaten feed and nutrients

• use of antifouling agents to prevent the attachment of organisms to aquaculture equipment

• diseases: large, concentrated populations of farmed fish are more likely to catch diseases