Sustainable Fishery Systems

This book provides a comprehensive attempt to adopt an 'integrated' interdisciplinary approach to the study of fisheries. Fisheries are discussed as holistic 'systems', with emphasis on their structure, operation and dynamics. The book's interdisciplinary approach is applied to an analysis of problems faced in pursuing 'sustainable fisheries', with emphasis on six dominant themes: sustainability, uncertainty, complexity, conflict, fishing rights and the nature of management. Within this discussion, several major directions in current fishery thinking are explored, notably the precautionary approach, the ecosystem approach, co-management, and robust management for resilient fisheries.

Anthony Charles is a professor of Management Science and of Environmental Studies at Saint Mary's University, in Halifax, Canada. He has an extensive record of interdisciplinary research and teaching on fisheries, combined with practical experience working with fishery agencies and organisations at the local, national and international levels, in both northern and southern nations.