A study re-evaluating claims that scientifically assessed global fish stocks have recovered to or exceeded sustainable biomass targets finds that, when applying alternative methods of analyzing stock biomass levels, nearly half of individual stocks may still be below biomass targets and 40% may be exploited above sustainable rates, with recent recovery rates marginally above zero; the results suggest that a cautionary approach may be warranted in rebuilding depleted global fisheries, according to the authors.
Article #21-08532: "Recovery of assessed global fish stocks remains uncertain," by Gregory L. Britten, Carlos M. Duarte, and Boris Worm.
MEDIA CONTACT: Gregory L. Britten, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA; email: gregleebritten@gmail.com
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences