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Publications
Wiedenmann, J and Mangel, M.
A Review of Rebuilding Plans for Overfished Stocks in the United States: Identifying Situations of Special Concern (2006)
Abstract:
In a study funded by the Lenfest Ocean Program, John Wiedenmann and Marc Mangel examined fishery rebuilding plans developed since the requirement to rebuild depleted fish populations was adopted in the 1996 amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This study identified three improvements to the development and implementation of rebuilding plans that could enhance the chance of restoring overfished populations: (1) For a greater chance of recovery within the rebuilding timeline, overfishing should not occur. (2) When a fish population crosses the rebuilding threshold, the age structure of the population should be considered and quotas should be set with caution if the rebuilding 'success' resulted from a few strong year classes. (3) Whenever possible, uncertainty not only about randomness in the ecological system but also about biological unknowns should be incorporated into rebuilding analyses.
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