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Sustainable fishing and healthy fish stocks

Ecology • Food production (biology only)

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • A fish stock is the population of a fish species in a defined area that can breed and support itself.
  • Sustainable fishing involves harvesting at a rate that prevents the population from declining below levels necessary for long-term survival and reproduction.
  • This approach balances the removal of individuals with natural population growth, ensuring the spawning biomass remains sufficient to replace harvested fish and maintain ecosystem roles.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

What is overfishing?

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Overfishing is fishing at a level that threatens the population's long-term survival.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Fish stock = population in a defined area capable of breeding.

Sustainable fishing means catch ≤ population replacement rate.

Overfishing removes breeders → reduced recruitment → potential collapse.

Spawning stock biomass (SSB) measures breeding capacity and guides quotas.

Quotas cap total catch; limits on boats/time reduce fishing effort.

Larger net mesh sizes reduce juvenile capture and increase future breeding numbers.

Marine protected areas protect spawning and nursery habitats and allow biomass to recover.

Bycatch kills non-target species and damages ecosystem health.

Slow-reproducing species require lower sustainable yields and more protection.

Sustainable stocks support food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem stability.

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