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|  In implementing a plan to conserve ecosystem structures and processes, fishing practices that involve excessive use of resources, or use of fishing gear in a manner or at a location that causes destruction of habitat, or the use of fishing methods that are themselves destructive, need to be stopped in the interest both of conserving the ecosystem and of ensuring optimal productivity in its use. Other issues arise when considering the resilience of ecosystems. They are the extent of the problem of lost or abandoned fishing gear, which can continue to catch fish when no longer under the control of the fisher. Also, improving the selectivity of fishing gear and methods that presently harvest unwanted catch becomes an issue.International trade in fish and fisheries products, and its liberalisation, is sometimes blamed for negative environmental impacts, damage to food security in the exporting country, and increased inequality in wealth distribution. | | |  Trade has the capacity to increase prosperity in the fisheries sector, provided that an appropriate fisheries management system is in place. Trade has contributed to improved market access and rising fish prices, which in turn has increased the profitability of fishing operations. In the absence of an adequate management system that provides fishers with the right set of incentives, however, trade can result in fishers resorting to illegal or damaging fishing practices, or increasing their effort, which will cause or exacerbate overfishing and, in the long term, reduce yields, income, and welfare. | | | | The criticism has been raised that the fish trade damages food security, particularly for vulnerable groups in some developing countries. However, the exported fish tends to be of high value species, enabling the import of greater quantities of less expensive protein. This does not always compensate for the loss of micronutrients obtained from fish and fish products, if fish is no longer available in sufficient quantity. The benefits that trade can bring depends to some extent on how equitably the benefits of trade are distributed. | | | | Increased trade can bring such important gains for society that its potentially negative effects should be addressed through more effective fisheries management and ensuring more equitable income distribution, and not by measures such as trade restrictions. In an increasingly favourable environment for trading fish, particularly for developing countries, fisheries management should encourage sustainable fishing practices and an efficient industry. | | | | |
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1076 Topics - 5135 Related Knowledge - 2534 Members - 34 Editors |
