Navigating the Depths: Balancing Fisheries Science and Management for Sustainable Development
Author : Sachin Dadarao Jadhav
Abstract :
Fisheries science and fisheries management are interconnected fields that play crucial roles in understanding and regulating fish populations and their exploitation. Fisheries science integrates various disciplines to study fish populations and their responses to fishing mortality, while fisheries management applies scientific knowledge to regulate fishing activities and achieve specific objectives. The objectives of fisheries management have evolved to include biological, economic, recreational, and social aspects, recognizing the need for a multidimensional approach. The institutionalization of fisheries science has faced challenges in bridging the gap between scientists and the fishing industry, necessitating the inclusion of economic and social expertise. The question of resource ownership and management arises, with perspectives ranging from the fishers, society, and conservationists. Uncertainty poses a significant problem in fisheries management, highlighting the importance of addressing and incorporating uncertainty into decision-making processes. The pursuit of economic efficiency in fisheries should be balanced with the goal of expanding people's real freedoms and considering the human dimension of development. Achieving sustainable development in fisheries requires balancing environmental, social, and economic considerations, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the well-being of present and future generations. The economic perspective should account for the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of biodiversity in supporting sustainable development.
Keywords :
Fisheries science, fisheries management, fish populations, fishing mortality, sustainable development, objectives of fisheries management, institutionalization of fisheries science
