March 9, 2013 — The following was released by Ocean Trust:
Boston, Massachusetts, March 9 2013 – Senior science and management representatives from leading fishing nations gathered together to discuss the state of fisheries and the sustainability of seafood at the third annual Science and Sustainability Forum. Major findings from the Forum were:
– Information from assessed or surveyed stocks shows that fisheries for those stocks have been sustainability managed for the last few decades.
– Overfishing has been reduced in most developed countries and some developing countries. o There have been considerable successes in rebuilding, and current fishing rates are
expected to lead to further improvements in stock status over time.
– In comparison to other sources of nutrition, seafood is relatively environmentally-friendly.
– The terms ‘overfishing’, ‘overfished’, ‘over-exploited’ refer to a rate of fishing that is not optimal, but they are not synonymous with the term ‘unsustainable.’ Effective management systems will include adequate responsive action to end overfishing and avoid irreversible harm.
– Sustainability is the result of a process of a well-designed and implemented fishery management system.
– The performance of management systems is more meaningful than the status of any single stock.
– Fishery products from well-managed systems (e.g., many US marine fisheries) should be considered to be sustainably harvested.
– Fishery resources are subject to environmental change, and not all stocks respond to fishery management as expected, often because of a lack of understanding about environmental factors. Advances are needed to incorporate environmental variability, consider mixed- stock fisheries and develop an ecosystem basis for fisheries management.
– Given the progress in reducing overfishing and rebuilding stocks in well established management systems where the fishery resources are adequately assessed, further improvements should be promoted for unassessed stocks to achieve management objectives.
– Alternative management approaches and institutional strengthening may be needed for
data-limited fisheries and in different socio-economic contexts.
Science & Sustainability Forum presentations will be available from www.oceantrust.org.
About the Science & Sustainability Forum
The Science & Sustainability Forum is a network of professional fishery scientists and government fishery management organizations established to promote effective management of fisheries, and provide factual guidance to seafood consumers and retailers based on the best scientific and unbiased information available.
Presentations at the 2013 forum were given by representatives from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Iceland Ministry of Industries &Innovation, Institute of Marine Research Norway, New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Washington, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, World Fish Center, World Bank, Southern Indian Ocean Deepsea Fishers Association, New England Fisheries Management Council, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists and Ocean Trust. The forum was sponsored by Bonefish Grill, Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, H- E-B, Audubon Nature Institute GULF, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation, Boston Fisheries Foundation, Stavis Seafoods, Santa Monica Seafood, Profish, SeafoodNews.com, American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists and Ocean Trust with participation by Lund’s Fisheries, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Sea Port Products, Rialto Restaurant, John Nagle Company, Bluefin Seafood, Save On Seafood, Hawaii-Seafood, New England Aquarium, High Liner Foods, Environmental Defense Fund, Global Trust, FW Bryce, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and SeafoodSource.com.
About Ocean Trust
Ocean Trust is an award-winning ocean conservation foundation building science, conservation and industry partnerships for the sustainability of the oceans. Its focus is fisheries sustainability, wildlife protection and environmental restoration in partnership with communities dependent on the sea. Ocean Trust serves as secretariat for the Science & Sustainability Forum. www.oceantrust.org
About American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists
AIFRB is a professional organization established to promote conservation and proper utilization of fishery resources through the use of fishery and related sciences. The role of the Institute is the professional development and performance of its members, and the recognition of their achievements. AIFRB is a cosponsor of the Science and Sustainability Forum. www.aifrb.org