Implementing Balanced Harvesting – Practical Challenges and Other Implications

Balanced harvesting (BH), where species are exploited relative to productivity rates, is proposed as an ecologically better method of fishing compared to the current approach of targeting specific species and age groups. BH is proposed to provide higher maximum yields and maintain ecosystem structure. While firm conclusions on whether such an approach offers substantial benefits are yet to be delivered, the concept offers an alternative ecosystem based management strategy . However, there has been little discussion on how BH might be achieved in practice or the potential economic  and management impacts of fishing activities. There is some confusion around the use of the term non-selective fishing when considering BH and has been taken to mean that regulation of the technical characteristics of the gear is no longer required. We argue that BH is not about unregulated, non-selective fishing; in fact the opposite is likely. If the ecosystem and individuals within are to be exploited at rates that are proportional to productivity levels then much greater control of selectivity and fishing effort will be needed and that the economic consequences of catching species with little or no monetary worth will present a major challenge for managers and the commercial fishing industry.