Destructive fishing: An expert-driven definition and exploration of this quasi-concept

• Main Authors: McCarthy, AH, Steadman, D, Richardson, H, Murphy, J, Benbow, S, Brian, JI, Brooks, H, Costa-Domingo, G, Hazin, C, McOwen, C, Walker, J, Willer, D, Abdi, M, Auster, PJ, Bealey, R, Bensted-Smith, R, Broadburn, K, Carvalho, G, Collinson, T, Erinosho, B, Fabinyi, M, Febrica, S, Forbi, WN, Garcia, SM, Goad, D, Goldsworthy, L, Govan, H, Heaphy, C, Hiddink, JG, Hosch, G, Kachelriess, D, Kinch, J, Lancaster, AMSN, Le Manach, F, Matthews, T, Ortiz, AM, Morgan, A, Motta, H, Murua, H, Namboothri, N, Ndiritu, E, Passfield, K, Pilcher, NJ, Portus, JO, Rguez-Baron, JM, Robertson, M, Sharma, A, Suazo, CG, Tamini, LL, Vilata-Simón, J, Mukherjee, N
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2024
• Subjects: 41 Environmental Sciences; 4803 International and Comparative Law; 48 Law and Legal Studies; 4104 Environmental Management; Mental Health; Oldenburg; Rothschild; Alfred Wegener Institute
• Online Access: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/366457

Publication status: Published Funder: Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) at the University of Oldenburg Funder: Brunel University London; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007914 Funder: Alfred‐Wegener‐Institute for Polar and Marine Research Funder: Arcadia; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100012088 Funder: Rothschild Foundation Funder: A.G. Leventis Foundation; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004117 Funder: Isaac Newton Trust; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004815 Funder: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011592 <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Numerous policy and international frameworks consider that “destructive fishing” hampers efforts to reach sustainability goals. Though ubiquitous, “destructive fishing” is undefined and therefore currently immeasurable. Here we propose a definition developed through expert consultation: “Destructive fishing is any fishing practice that causes irrecoverable habitat degradation, or which causes significant adverse environmental impacts, results in long‐term declines in target or nontarget species beyond biologically safe limits and has negative livelihood impacts.” We show strong stakeholder support for a definition, consensus on many biological and ecological dimensions, and no clustering of respondents from different sectors. Our consensus definition is a significant step toward defining sustainable fisheries goals and will help interpret and implement global political commitments which utilize the term “destructive fishing.” Our definition and results will help reinforce the Food and Agricultural Organization's Code of Conduct and meaningfully support member countries to prohibit destructive fishing practices.</jats:p>