Rebuilding Global Fisheries

After a long history of overexploitation, increasing efforts to restore marine ecosystems and rebuild fisheries are under way. Here, we analyze current trends from a fisheries and conservation perspective. In 5 of 10 well-studied ecosystems, the average exploitation rate has recently declined and is now at or below the rate predicted to achieve maximum sustainable yield for seven systems. Yet 63% of assessed fish stocks worldwide still require rebuilding, and even lower exploitation rates are needed to reverse the collapse of vulnerable species. Combined fisheries and conservation objectives can be achieved by merging diverse management actions, including catch restrictions, gear modification, and closed areas, depending on local context. Impacts of international fleets and the lack of alternatives to fishing complicate prospects for rebuilding fisheries in many poorer regions, highlighting the need for a global perspective on rebuilding marine resources.Fil: Worm, Boris. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Hilborn, Ray. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Baum, Julia K.. University of California at San Diego. Scripps Institution of Oceanography; Estados UnidosFil: Branch, Trevor A.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Collie, Jeremy S.. University of Rhode Island; Estados UnidosFil: Costello, Christopher. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Fogarty, Michael J.. Noaa National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center; Estados UnidosFil: Fulton, Elizabeth A.. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation; AustraliaFil: Hutchings, Jeffrey A.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Jennings, Simon. University of East Anglia; Reino Unido. Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; Reino UnidoFil: Jensen, Olaf P.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Lotze, Heike K.. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Mace, Pamela M.. Ministry of Fisheries; Nueva ZelandaFil: McClanahan, Tim R.. Wildlife Conservation Society Marine Programs; KeniaFil: Minto, Cóilín. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Palumbi, Stephen R.. University of Stanford; Estados UnidosFil: Parma, Ana María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Ricard, Daniel. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Rosenberg, Andrew A.. University of New Hampshire. Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space; Estados UnidosFil: Watson, Reg. University of British Columbia; CanadáFil: Zeller, Dirk. University of British Columbia; Canad