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Failing the high seas: A global evaluation of regional fisheries management organizations
Cullis-Suzuki, S.; Pauly, D. (2010). Failing the high seas: A global evaluation of regional fisheries management organizations. Mar. Policy 34(5): 1036-1042. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2010.03.002
In: Marine Policy. Elsevier: UK. ISSN 0308-597X; e-ISSN 1872-9460, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Management > Resource management > Fishery management
    Overexploitation > Commercial fishing > Overfishing
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Regional fisheries management organizations; Global fisheries;Theoretical performance; Practical performance; Fish stocks

Authors  Top 
  • Cullis-Suzuki, S.
  • Pauly, D., more

Abstract
    Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) collectively manage the largest distinct area of the world, the high seas, but their effectiveness in conserving the fish stocks therein has been questioned lately, as many stocks have declined. This study quantitatively assesses the effectiveness of the world's 18 RFMOs, based on a two-tiered approach, concentrating first on their performance ‘on paper’ and secondly, in practice. The former was determined by assessing how well RFMOs scored against 26 criteria that together reflect current RFMO best practices. The latter assessment referenced the current state of the stocks RFMOs manage, through biomass and fishing mortality reference points and biomass trends through time. Results show low performance of RFMOs for both assessments, i.e., average scores of 57% and 49%, respectively. The latter result is emphasized by findings that reflect two-thirds of stocks fished on the high seas and under RFMO management are either depleted or overexploited. Findings also indicate that there is no connection between the two sets of scores, suggesting a disparity between organization intent and action.

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