Fishery
Overview
Fishery is a term that encompasses the activities involved in raising or harvesting fish. The term is often applied to the site or facility where such activities take place, but it can also refer to the geographical regions in which these activities are carried out, including oceans, rivers, and lakes. Fisheries can be wild (also known as capture fisheries) or farmed (also known as aquaculture).
Types of Fisheries
Fisheries can be categorized based on several factors, such as the type of water body they operate in (marine or freshwater), the type of species they target (finfish or shellfish), and the method of production (wild or farmed).
Marine Fisheries
Marine fisheries operate in saltwater environments, typically in oceans and seas. They can be further divided into inshore (or coastal) and offshore (or deep-sea) fisheries. Inshore fisheries are usually small-scale operations that take place close to the coast, while offshore fisheries are large-scale operations that take place further out to sea.
Freshwater Fisheries
Freshwater fisheries operate in bodies of water with low salt content, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. They can be either commercial or recreational. Commercial freshwater fisheries are typically involved in the production of food, while recreational freshwater fisheries are primarily concerned with sport and leisure activities, such as angling.
Finfish Fisheries
Finfish fisheries target species that are traditionally classified as fish, such as tuna, salmon, and cod. These fisheries can be either wild or farmed.
Shellfish Fisheries
Shellfish fisheries target species that are classified as shellfish, including crustaceans (such as lobsters and crabs) and mollusks (such as oysters and clams). Like finfish fisheries, shellfish fisheries can be either wild or farmed.
Fishery Management
Fishery management involves the application of management rules and strategies to fisheries in order to achieve specific objectives. These objectives can include the sustainable use of fishery resources, the protection of marine ecosystems, and the maximization of economic and social benefits.
Sustainable Fishery Management
Sustainable fishery management aims to ensure that fishery resources are used in a way that does not compromise their long-term viability. This involves setting and enforcing catch limits, implementing gear restrictions, and establishing marine protected areas.
Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management
Ecosystem-based fishery management takes a holistic approach to the management of fisheries. It considers the entire ecosystem, including the interactions between different species and their environment, rather than focusing solely on the targeted species.
Socioeconomic Fishery Management
Socioeconomic fishery management focuses on the economic and social aspects of fisheries. This can include the promotion of local economies, the protection of traditional fishing communities, and the improvement of working conditions for fishery workers.
Fishery Science
Fishery science is the academic discipline concerned with the study of fisheries. It encompasses a wide range of sub-disciplines, including biology, ecology, and economics.
Fishery Biology
Fishery biology involves the study of the life histories and behaviors of fish species, as well as their interactions with their environment. This knowledge is crucial for the effective management of fisheries.
Fishery Ecology
Fishery ecology focuses on the relationships between fish species and their ecosystems. This includes the study of food webs, predator-prey relationships, and the impacts of environmental changes on fish populations.
Fishery Economics
Fishery economics involves the study of the economic aspects of fisheries, including the costs and benefits of different management strategies, the impacts of fisheries on local economies, and the economic value of fishery resources.