History
- Fishing has been a way of life (and a way to eat) for
1000’s of years, perhaps even since the beginning our species
has eaten fish
- Fish continues to be a major source of the
world’s animal protein (particularly for non-developed
nations)
- For much of the history of fishing, the oceans were thought
of as unlimited in its ability to produce fish resources, but most
fishing was done on a small scale
 The first noted declines in fish abundance did not occur
until the early 1900’s- Humans depend on a very small number of species ( around 20
species make up most of the catch)
- The growth of fishing and technology have been closely
linked
- Early technology
- Bone hooks → metal hooks
- Plant lines → synthetic lines
- Human or wind powered boats → coal, gasoline
powered boats
- Modern technology (since WWI, most coming in WWII)
- Nylon
- Sonar
- Diesel engines (leading to faster,
bigger boats)
- Large scale freezing
- Factory Processing Boats
- Effects of better technology - increased yield...but when will it end? To read more, click here for the source of this graph.
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Questions to Research:
- Fishing is big business, but fishing depends upon a limited supply of fish. Catches can not increase forever. Go to Earth-Policy.org, and describe what fifty years of intensive fishing pressure has done to the oceans fish resources.
- Fishing
Methods - Click on the link. Read about and watch the animations
for each method of commercial fishing. (Not the fish farming,
we will save those for later.) Briefly summarize how each method works. Also
list any potential environmental draw back to that particular style of
fishing.
- Alaska
Commercial Fishing - Click on the link and open the attached
PDF document. This is a summary of Alaska commercial fishing
techniques. For each of the style mentioned in question 2,
explain if this method is used in Alaska, and if so what Alaskan species is it
used for. You can also check out the Anchorage Daily News link for Commercial fishing.
 Go to the page for the movie "Empty Oceans, Empty Nets,"
read the case studies for Atlantic Cod and Alaskan Halibut.
Compare the management styles (and the impacts upon the fish
populations) of these two fisheries.
- Fish
Farming - Click on the link. Briefly summarize how
each fish farming technique works. Also list any potential environmental drawbacks to that particular style of fishing.
- In 1988, the Alaska state legislature passed a law legalizing
aquaculture for shellfish (oysters, clams, and muscles). The same
law banned farming of fined fish within Alaska's waters. Salmon Farms pose a significant risk....
Skim this article and briefly summarize why Alaskan fishermen are
concerned about fish farming. If you need more help with this
one, click here for some comparisons of farmed and wild salmon.
- Ocean's of Nothing
- Read this short article from Time Magazine. The conclusions of
this study were controversial and were based on looking at large trends
in the fishing industry rather than looking at individual fish
populations. (For example, populations of Alaskan salmon,
pollack, and halibut are currently stable). What does the article
suggest is the best best strategy for preventing this potential
impending disaster?
- Go to the Monterey Bay Sustainable Sea Food Guide.
Select four species; two species that you are familiar with and
two species that you have not heard of. Summarize the rating of
the species and its conservation status.
- The Alaska State Constitution
is one of the few, if not the only constitutions in world to make
specific statements about the management of fish and wildlife.
Read Article 8, pay
particular attention to two ideas - "sustainable yield" and "limited entry." Describe in your own words what maximum sustainable yield and limited entry mean.
- Alaska salmon fishing is highly regulated. Fish managers have to ensure that each river recieves a sustainable level of escapement. Click on the link and explain what escapement is and how fish managers use escapement numbers to manage salmon stocks.
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