A new report by the Environmental Defense Fund, “The Potential for Global Fish Recovery,” shows that effective management of global fisheries doesn’t require a reduction in fishing per se, and, in fact, can result in both more food resources and better ocean health.
Many of the world’s fisheries have been on a steady downward trend for decades, making it easy to conclude that the only solution is a reduction in fishing. The EDF study suggest otherwise. By improving the health of the oceans and their ecosystems, even as fishing continues, food production can be increased in as little as ten years.
Improvements would come from reforms such as cooperatives, territorial use rights, and quotas. Stakeholders are already reversing overfishing and seeing revival of coastal communities.