Canada: A British Columbia study uncovers troubling findings for world fish stocks

A new study analyzing more than 230 fisheries has found that their sustainability is likely overstated worldwide, and previous estimates of the number of fish in the ocean globally may have been too optimistic. The study, conducted by University of Victoria marine ecologist Amanda Bates alongside collaborators at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, was published in the journal Science on Aug. 22, and the findings could have implications for the management and long-term sustainability of fisheries according to the university. "Currently, in many fisheries, we may be catching more fish than is sustainable. Fisheries feed the livelihoods of many coastal people, and our cultures are intimately tied to fisheries and fishing practices. If we care about future generations and want healthy ocean systems, we need to rethink how we’re managing our fisheries," said Bates in a news release. Estimates of how many fish are available in a fishery, called ...