Fisheries science now and in the future: A personal view

This paper is an attempt to come to grips with contemporary fisheries science; its established traditions, most common uses, and future directions. Reasons are hypothesised as to why fisheries science has often led management to fall short of its goals, and suggestions are given as to ,how fisheries science might evolve in the future. Particular reference is given to the contemporary New Zealand scene. It is suggested that, of highest importance to this evolution, is an awareness that the scientific approach used to tackle a fishery assessment and management problem depends on the nature of the individual fishery. In some fisheries, useful inferences can be made by concentrating attention on the exploited stocks themselves; in others, the structure of the exploited community and its relation to fish productivity and dynamics must be taken into account in order to realise effective management.

Keywords:

• Fisheries
• Population dynamics
• Stock assessment
• Stock management

Notes

Present address: Northwest and Alaska Fisheries Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, Wash. 98112, U.S.A.