Good Catch: Economics Professor Chistopher Costello's Global Analysis Proves the Efficacy of Fishery Management
Professor Costello’s analysis of worldwide fishery data concluded that extensively managed fisheries may prevent overfishing and endangerment.
Professor of Resource Economics Christopher Costello coauthored a research paper on the efficacy of fishery management in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Costello compiled and analyzed data from fisheries worldwide, concluding that extensively monitoring fisheries can prevent overfishing and allow stocks of fish to increase in abundance.
The findings of Costello’s paper are significant when evaluating the environmental impact of overfishing. “There’s a common belief out there that overfishing is irreversible. Our research shows that when fishery managers are resolute [...] they can rebuild fish stocks and the livelihoods and ecosystems that depend on them,” said Costello.
Costello’s paper urges the fishing industry to implement more robust management systems. “We need to design the way we manage fisheries so that fishermen around the world have a long-term stake in the health of the ocean,” he said.
Costello’s full research article can be found on the PNAS website.
