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Fishing Less Nets More Profits

REDUCING TODAY’S SEAFOOD CATCH CAN INCREASE THE HEALTH OF OUR OCEANS AND NET GREATER LONG-TERM PROFITS FOR FISHERS. LEARN WHY ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

TRADITIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR TAKING LESS REVOLVE AROUND CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY - MAKING SURE THERE WILL BE ENOUGH FISH FOR THE FUTURE. 

BUT NOW THERE’S AN ECONOMIC ARGUMENT, TOO.  A NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT IF FISH STOCKS ARE ALLOWED TO REBUILD TO EVEN HIGHER LEVELS THAN THOSE RECOMMENDED FOR SUSTAINABILITY, FISHERMEN’S NET PROFITS RISE.  THE REASON IS THAT THE FISH ARE EASIER TO CATCH, SO THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FISHING ARE REDUCED.

QUENTIN GRAFTON OF THE CRAWFORD SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND GOVERNMENT AT THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SIMPLIFIES IT: 

GRAFTON: BIGGER STOCKS…MORE FISH IN THE SEA, MEANS BIGGER BUCKS OR MORE PROFIT FOR FISHERS THEMSELVES AND THAT’S A WIN-WIN.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

Read Grafton’s study in Science.

Learn how to find more sustainable seafood from the Seafood Choices Alliance.

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