RNR 1001 : TEST 3
Document Summary
In addition to freshwater, marine, and wetland ecosystem services, aquatic ecosystems around the planet provide a huge diversity of fisheries resources. World commercial fisheries harvests in 2008: 142 million metric tons. About 110 mmt was made up of finfishes. The other 32 mmt comprised mostly of crustaceans and mollusks. The commercial sector includes food fisheries as well as industrial fisheries. Freshwater and marine recreational fishing important in many countries. Many commercially and recreationally exploited fish and invertebrate stocks declined during the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, many non-exploited aquatic species also declined in abundance from habitat loss and degradation. Fisheries are a good example of a renewable resource. Stocks increase each year from growth and reproduction. Historic trends in many fish stocks illustrate the law of commons. An important part of fisheries conservation has been the ownership of resources by governments. Controlling effort of primary importance (effort= number of people, amount of gear, time spent fishing)
