Averting a global fisheries disaster

摘要: Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and support an estimated 3 billion people with food vital micronutrients (1). Consequently, the fate ocean its living resources is a first-order question in ecology environmental science (2). In this context, 2006 panel ecologists fisheries scientists empirically charted consequences ongoing depletion marine biodiversity, such as declining fisheries, reduced water quality, loss habitat, less resilient ecosystems (3). The paper became widely known, however, for scenario global collapse derived from extrapolating catch trends to year 2048. This projection served flash point discussion about sustainability or lack thereof (4). A polarized debate ensued, which was productively addressed by subsequent that highlighted solutions rebuilding depleted where appropriate governance structures exist (5). That work, along several follow-up papers (6⇓–8), did not revisit original projections. new PNAS (9) now uses updated methodology innovative combination available data on trends, life history, stock assessments prospect disaster, what may be required avert it. The analysis Costello et al. confirms average state fish stocks poor declining. Of 4,714 assessed 2012, only 32% remained at above biomass target supports maximum sustainable yield (BMSY), whereas 68% have slipped below critical threshold. compares 63% tracking BMSY Even more concerning finding 35% are currently fished … [↵][1]1Email: bworm{at}dal.ca. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1