27. Fish stocks*
Sustainability of fish
stocks around the UK, 1990 to 2006
| Fish stocks harvested sustainably since: |
1990 |
|
1999 |
|
- During the 1990s the percentage of fish stocks considered to be harvested sustainably, and at full reproductive capacity was no more than 10 per cent, but had increased to 30 per cent by 2006 (based on a group of 19-20 indicator stocks for which there are estimates of fishing mortality and spawning stock biomass and which together represent the fin-fish* stocks of major importance to the UK fishing industry).
- An additional 40 per cent of assessed stocks in 2006 were either being harvested sustainably or were at full reproductive capacity, but not both. However the indicator does not take account of the extent to which these and other fish stocks are harvested unsustainably or below full reproductive capacity and hence only provides a partial picture of sustainable fisheries. A further 30 per cent of stocks satisfy neither criteria.
- So a total of 70 per cent that are below full reproductive capacity and / or are harvested unsustainably. Therefore the assessment of this indicator as improving must be taken in the context of the absolute position.
- In 2004, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution advised significant and urgent action to avoid further collapse of fisheries or harm to the marine environment.
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has also been advising the UK Government on the production of an indicator of marine ecosystem integrity. This is intended to more directly show the status of marine fisheries, and will sit alongside the fish stocks indicator to give a broader picture of the changes to fish populations and the pressures operating on the marine environment.
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