UNIT 3:
POPULATION
DYNAMICS AND
FISHING
PREPARED BY: GROUP 2
UNIT 3: POPULATION DYNAMICS AND FISHING
3.4: YIELD AND STOCK EFFECT OF
FISHING
3.5: IMPACTS OF OVERFISHING
3.6: CATCH LIMIT AND TOTAL
ALLOWABLE CATCH
3.4: YIELD AND STOCK EFFECT OF
FISHING
YIELD
The quantity of fish harvested from a fishery over a
specific period.
STOCK
According to the UN FAO, a fish stock describes “the
living resources in the community or population from
which catches are taken in a fishery.”
STOCK-RECRUITMENT RELATIONSHIP
The relationship between the parent stock
(spawning biomass) and the number of offspring
(recruits) that survive to join the fishable population.
A healthy spawning stock is essential to produce
sufficient recruits to maintain population levels.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINABLE YIELD (MSY)
The largest average catch that can be taken
continuously from a stock under existing
environmental conditions without compromising the
stock's ability to replenish.
Harvesting at MSY aims to keep the fish population at
a size where it grows fastest, typically around half the
carrying capacity.
YIELD VS. STOCK VS. FISHING EFFORT
The intensity of fishing (fishing effort) directly
affects the yield and the stock size. If fishing is too
intense (overfishing), the stock will decline, and the
yield will eventually decrease.
If fishing is managed
sustainably, the stock can
maintain a healthy size,
providing a consistent yield
over time.
To ensure positive growth
of the stock, the harvest
must be lower than the
natural growth.
FISHING EFFORT AND YIELD DYNAMICS
FISHING EFFORT
The amount of resources (e.g., time, gear, labor) used
to catch fish.
YIELD DYNAMICS
At low fishing effort, yield increases as effort
increases.
Beyond a certain point, additional effort leads to
overfishing, reducing the stock and, consequently,
the yield.
This relationship is often depicted as a parabolic
curve, with MSY at its peak.
ROLE OF STOCK ASSESSMENT
To evaluate the current status of fish stocks and
inform management decisions.
Collecting data on fish catches, fishing effort, and
biological characteristics.
Using models to estimate stock size, growth rates,
and the impact of fishing.
Providing reference points, such as MSY, to guide
sustainable fishing practices.
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Catch limits
Effort controls
Marine Protected Areas
Adaptive Management
3.5: IMPACTS OF OVERFISHING
Overfishing occurs when fish are caught at a rate
faster than they can reproduce, leading to a decline
in fish populations.
This practice threatens marine ecosystems,
biodiversity, and the livelihoods of communities
dependent on fishing.
CAUSES OF OVERFISHING
Modern equipment enables large-scale captures,
often exceeding sustainable limits.
Non-target species are unintentionally caught,
leading to unnecessary depletion of marine life.
Fishing fleets have the capability to harvest more fish
than the oceans can sustainably provide.
EXAMPLES OF OVERFISHED SPECIES
Tuna
Salmon
Halibut
Snapper
IMPACTS ON STOCK
Reduced Population Size
Altered Age and Size Structure
Decreased Genetic Diversity
Ecosystem Imbalances
IMPACTS ON YIELD
Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Losses
Initially, overfishing may lead to increased catches.
However, this is unsustainable. As the stock declines,
yields will eventually decrease significantly.
Reduced Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Removing large numbers of fish disrupts food webs,
affecting predator and prey relationships.
Certain fishing methods damage vital habitats like
coral reefs and seagrass beds.
Overfishing can lead to the extinction of vulnerable
species, reducing marine biodiversity.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS
Depleted fish stocks result in reduced catches,
affecting the income of fishing communities.
Many populations rely on fish as a primary protein
source; overfishing endangers this food supply.
As fish become scarce, those dependent on fishing
may lose their jobs, leading to social challenges.
MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Adopting quotas and seasonal restrictions to allow
fish populations to recover.
Designating zones where fishing is restricted or
prohibited to preserve ecosystems.
Strengthening global agreements to combat illegal,
unreported, and unregulated fishing activities.
3.6: CATCH LIMITS AND TOTAL
ALLOWABLE CATCH
CATCH LIMITS
sometimes refered to as quotas.
catch limits are regulations that set the maximum
amount of fish that can be caught from a particular
stock within a specific period, usually a year.
TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
the maximum amount of fish that can be caught from
a specific stock or fishery in a given year.
set by fishery management authorities based on
scientific assessments of fish stock health and
ecosystem considerations.
PROCESS OF SETTING TAC
1. Stock assessment
2. Overfishing limit
3. Acceptable biological catch
4. Annual catch limit
IMPORTANCE OF CATCH LIMITS
Ensures long-term viability of fish stocks.
Supports fishing industries by preventing resource
depletion.
Maintains healthy marine ecosystems.
TYPES OF CATCH LIMITS
1. Individual fishing quotas
2. Community quotas
3. Bycatch limits
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING
CATCH LIMITS
Data limitations
Enforcement issues
Environmental conditions
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING TAC
Data Limitations
Economic & Social Pressures
Allocation Disputes
