More fishing vessels chasing fewer fish.

Date: May 28, 2019 Source: University of Tasmania

Summary: A new analysis of global fishing data has found the world's fishing fleet doubled in size over the 65 years to 2015, but for the amount of effort expended the catch fell more than 80 per cent. The study found the global fishing fleet grew from 1.7 million vessels in 1950 to 3.7 million in 2015.

A new analysis of global fishing data has found the world's fishing fleet doubled in size over the 65-years to 2015 but for the amount of effort expended the catch fell more than 80 per cent.

Published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study by researchers from the University of Tasmania and CSIRO found the global fishing fleet grew from 1.7 million vessels in 1950 to 3.7 million in 2015. However, despite better technology and increased motorisation, modern fishing vessels take only one fifth of the catch per unit of effort (CPUE) that the 1950s fishing fleet achieved. IMAS and CMS PhD student Yannick Rousseau, who led the study, said the findings reflect growing pressure on marine resources and a fall in the abundance of fish. "What we have seen over the last 65 years is more and more fishing vessels chasing fewer fish," Mr Rousseau said.

... read the full article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190527152737.htm