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Cited by 249Marine and fisheries researchFish Ecology and Management StudiesCoastal and Marine Management

Lessons learned from practical approaches to reconcile mismatches between biological population structure and stock units of marine fish

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Kerr, Lisa A., Hintzen, Niels T., Cadrin, Steven X., Clausen, Lotte Worsøe, Dickey-Collas, Mark, Goethel, Daniel R., Hatfield, Emma M.C., Kritzer, Jacob P. +1 more·2017·ICES Journal of Marine Science
DOI 10.1093/icesjms/fsw188
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Abstract

Recent advances in the application of stock identification methods have revealed inconsistencies between the spatial structure of biological populations and the definition of stock units used in assessment and management. From a fisheries management perspective, stocks are typically assumed to be discrete units with homogeneous vital rates that can be exploited independently of each other. However, the unit stock assumption is often violated leading to spatial mismatches that can bias stock assessment and impede sustainable fisheries management. The primary ecological concern is the potential for overexploitation of unique spawning components, which can lead to loss of productivity and reduced biodiversity along with destabilization of local and regional stock dynamics. Furthermore, ignoring complex population structure and stock connectivity can lead to misperception of the magnitude of fish productivity, which can translate to suboptimal utilization of the resource. We describe approaches that are currently being applied to improve the assessment and management process for marine fish in situations where complex spatial structure has led to an observed mismatch between the scale of biological populations and spatially-defined stock units. The approaches include: (i) status quo management, (ii) “weakest link” management, (iii) spatial and temporal closures, (iv) stock composition analysis, and (v) alteration of stock boundaries. We highlight case studies in the North Atlantic that illustrate each approach and synthesize the lessons learned from these real-world applications. Alignment of biological and management units requires continual monitoring through the application of stock identification methods in conjunction with responsive management to preserve biocomplexity and the natural stability and resilience of fish species.

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Authors
Kerr, L. A., Hintzen, N. T., Cadrin, S. X., Clausen, L. W., Dickey-Collas, M., Goethel, D. R., Hatfield, E. M. C., Kritzer, J. P., & Nash, R. D. M.
Affiliations
  • Gulf of Maine Research Institute (US)
  • Wageningen Marine Research (NL)
  • University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (US)
  • Technical University of Denmark (DK)
  • DTU Aqua - National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Section for Fisheries Advice, Charlottenlund Slot, Jægersborg Alle 1, Charlottenlund 2920, Denmark
  • NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center (US)
  • Marine Scotland (GB)
  • Environmental Defense Fund (US)
  • Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (NO)
Corresponding author
Kerr, Lisa A.
ORCID
Venue
ICES Journal of Marine Science
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2016-12-05
Volume
74
Issue
6
Pages
1708-1722
ISSN
  • 1054-3139 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9289
DOI
10.1093/icesjms/fsw188
OpenAlex
W2567110166
Cited by
249
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 1
FWCI
9.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • ICES Journal of Marine Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
  • Technical University of Denmark, DTU Orbit (Technical University of Denmark, DTU) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • NOAA Institutional Repository (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Fish Ecology and Management Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Coastal and Marine Management
Keywords
stock identification, spatial mismatch, stock connectivity, North Atlantic fisheries, fish stock assessment

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