The Process of Fisheries Management Chapter 5
Goal for this Topic Understand the process of fisheries management
Objectives for this Topic Develop and apply steps in the process of fisheries science and management to a real problem Describe forces that shape fisheries management
Review: Fisheries Science and Definition Purpose Process Management Fish mgt and science Biota Habitat Humans Ecosystem Perspective Functional Ecosystems Life support systems Conserve Handout
What is the PROCESS of FISHERIES? Class work and discussion to figure this out
A question you get What should I do to my large pond to improve trout fishing and catching goodsized fish through the year, every year? How should I manage my 75-ac property for attractive grouse hunting? How do you respond? What do you do for the farmer / landowner?
How do you respond? Which one(s) do you pick? A. Do a controlled burn B. Stock more fish C. Limit fish harvests D. Remove aquatic vegetation E. Mow down briars F. Add aerators G. Dig the pond deeper and wider H. All of these I. None of them
Discussion: Your Job Develop a plan to sustain a viable fishery Outline briefly described from start to finish
Assess Current Conditions Understand what you got
Goals and Objectives Dictated by current conditions Debated and agreed upon researchers managers stakeholders
Goals Goal: Restore and maintain a self-sustaining productive large mouth bass fishery and associated native fauna Goal: Improve the striped bass fishery in Raystown Lake
What is an example of a goal? 1. Read 35 journal articles per month on fish ecology 2. Be a renowned ecologist 3. Subscribe to the journal Ecology 4. Give invited talks to school kids on science and ecology 3 times per year 5. Have membership in 5 different national and international professional societies in ecology and fish fields
Objectives Objectives: are SMART Objectives: In 5 years, IBI community score at least 78/100; catch 3 fish > 9 inches per hour; sample the range of ages and sizes of all species by electrofishing; P, N, DO levels meet standards
Problems Problems: Thermal pollution; water quality; chicken farm; foreseeable problems? housing development, sewer development in future
The Management Process Actions Evaluation Are outcomes consistent with objectives? Revision
Actions and/or Recommendations To meet management goals and objectives and reduce negatives Population management Habitat manipulation People management (i.e., control)
Handout Current conditions Goals Objectives Problems Actions/Recommendations Evaluation Revision The Management Process is adaptive iterative process Stakeholders Current Conditions The management process
Fisheries Management Stakeholder driven, goal-oriented, cyclic process that is self-evaluating and adaptive.
The Process of Fisheries Management So fisheries management is The use of interdisciplinary information in a multi-organizational decision making process that results in actions to achieve goals established for aquatic resources. Thought for today: it does seem somewhat perverse that we must argue for the conservation of the natural resources upon which our very survival depends. Closs et al. 2015. Conservation of Freshwater Fishes. Cambridge Univ Press.
1. Assemble stakeholders/partners 2. Assess current conditions 3. Set goals 8. Improve, revise, adapt plan 4. Set objectives 7. Evaluate progress 5. ID impediments 6. Design and implement strategy, actions
Feasible objectives Role of science Assess current conditions ID limiting factors, understand ecological pattern/process Predict response to management action Make strategic recommendations Monitor effectiveness
Fisheries Management vs. Science Need Action Decision Question Project Results and Synthesis
Forces that Shape Fisheries Management Process Fig. 5.2
Science, ecology Socio-cultural things: tradition, pragmatists vs. purists Economics & Politics Forces that shape management Fig. 5.2