2014 Annual Symposium of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Published on by

2014 Annual Symposium of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Symposium Theme

INTEGRATED PERSPECTIVES ON FISH STOCK ENHANCEMENT

Integrating biological, socio-economic and managerial dimensions of fish stocking and introductions

BACKGROUND

Stocking - the intentional release of wild or hatchery-reared native fish into the wild - and introduction - the intentional or deliberate release of non-native fish species and genotypes into the wild - are dominant management tools to enhance fisheries. Both tools can have a range of benefits but also undesirable impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity and affect wider ecosystem services and non fisheries stakeholders. Hence, stocking and introductions are often controversial. There is a long history of fish stock enhancement oriented science. Yet despite the body of work that has accumulated many questions remain. There is a particular need to integrate novel ecological concepts (e.g. eco-evolutionary feedback) and cutting-edge biological themes and approaches (e.g. sensory and stress ecology, cognitive sciences, genomic approaches) with more traditional fisheries-oriented stock enhancement studies. There is also a need for meta-analytical approaches to identify the factors that determine additive effects of stocking in the wild. Finally, there is little integration of institutional, socio-economic and ecological dimensions of stock enhancement to improve the outcomes of fish stocking programmes. Integrated perspectives are sorely needed to avoid the "ugly enhancements" and develop stock enhancement strategies that benefit fisheries while minimising adverse impacts or economic inefficiency.

This symposium will bring together cutting edge multi- and inter-disciplinary research on the biological basis and ecological, evolutionary and fisheries outcomes of stocking and introductions. The symposium aims to attract a wide range of biologists, ecologists and applied social scientists, planners, policy makers and managers from around the world who have a particular interest in stocking and introduction of fish and their effects on fisheries and ecosystems. The aim of the meeting is to review progress in the field and present the latest research findings, with the goal of integrating biological, socio-economic, and managerial perspectives. The symposium will provide a forum for networking among science and management and foster collaborations to further develop and advance the management of this highly controversial fisheries management activity.

Information

Taxonomy