Distant-Water Fisheries and Their Relation to Development and Management

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Gulland, J. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1973
• Subjects: General Medicine; Northwest Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f73-382; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f73-382

An important proportion of the present world catch of fish (some 12% by weight, and more by value) is taken by long-range vessels. In some areas, e.g. the Northwest Atlantic, the proportion taken by long-range vessels is higher, up to 50%. The operations of these fleets and their effects on the operations of local fishermen have been causes of international friction on a number of occasions.The ability of long-range fleets to concentrate quickly on a newly exploited resource can mean that severe damage may be done to the resource before the necessary management measures can be implemented, at least by the traditional machinery. Management techniques need to be improved to enable them to react in a more timely fashion to changing fishing patterns (this also applies to local fisheries, where the speed of development is also becoming rapid).With proper management, long-range fishing is at present the most effective way of harvesting many of the world’s fish stocks, and without it there would be a big drop in the total world catch. However, given equal access to modern technology and to better markets, local fisheries with lower capital and running costs are likely to be more efficient at harvesting the resource. In the long run, local fisheries may be expected to replace long-range fleets in most areas. In the short run, the existence of the long-range fleets, by reducing the abundance of the stocks, and hence the catch rates, may inhibit the development of local fisheries, and reduce the success of those already existing. This may be balanced by benefiting from the experience of the long-range fleets as regards the best fishing grounds, seasons, etc.