Ecological footprint and vulnerability of marine capture fisheries in China

China(herein referred as China’s mainland,and excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan)ranks as the world’s leading fishing nation,with approximately 11.1 million tons of domestic marine catch acquired in 2017.Marine fisheries resources in China are mainly exploited by its 11 coastal provinces and municipalities,and the development of fishing industry varies among them.However,few studies have examined the exploitation history of the 11 coastal provinces and municipalities.In this paper,we systematically quantified the exploitation history of marine fishery resources in China and then measured the vulnerability of the 11 coastal provinces and municipalities of China to a reduction in marine catches.Our analysis suggested that Chinese marine fisheries experienced rapid growth from the mid-1980 s to the end of the 20 th century,and this rapid increase in marine catches were mainly promoted by increased fishing effort.The total primary production required level amounted to approximately 80%of the average primary productivity in 2017,and Zhejiang,Fujian,Shandong,Hainan and Guangdong provinces were the main fishing provinces in China.By assessing three dimensions of vulnerability(exposure,sensitivity and adaptive capacity)to the impacts of a reduction in marine catches in the 11 coastal provinces and municipalities,we found that Hainan,Guangxi,Zhejiang and Fujian provinces had high or very high vulnerability,while the municipalities of Shanghai and Tianjin had low vulnerability.Identifying suitable adaptation policies and management plans based on the differences in vulnerability among coastal provinces is important in sustainable fisheries management.

A Qualitative Appraisal of China’s Efforts in Fishing Capacity Management

This paper provides a critical review of some major efforts made by China to manage the fishing capacity of its marine capture fisheries. It begins by reviewing the key concepts and issues closely related to fishing capacity management. Following on this, a brief introduction to China’s marine capture fisheries is offered, especially the trends of its marine landings and marine fishing fleets and the status of fish stocks in waters under its jurisdiction. Next comes the main concern of the paper, i.e., some major actions recently initiated by China to deal with the overcapacity problem confronting it. The paper ends with conclusions and suggestions.

Assessing the Potential Contribution of Fisheries to Economic Development —The Case of Post-Ebola Sierra Leone

This paper examines the potential contribution of the fisheries sector to national economic development in Sierra Leone, following the cessation of the recent Ebola virus disease (EVD). The tragic deaths of some 4000 persons, as a direct result of this epidemic, have also been accompanied by serious economic disruption to one of the world’s poorest countries, amounting to a loss of over USD 1 billion (20 per cent of annual Gross Domestic Product, GDP). Based on recent work undertaken by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), an assessment was made of the potential contribution of one of the country’s major natural resource sectors—fisheries—to future economic recovery. It was confirmed that the fish resources of Sierra Leone have an estimated capitalised economic value of USD 735 million, and could potentially make an increased contribution to GDP under suitable conditions, over and above the current estimated level of 10 per cent. However, our results also show that with an overall “readiness assessment” score of 41/100, the sector is unlikely to realise its full potential unless a number of specific areas are addressed (based on analysis valid up to January 2016). These include an improvement in fisheries economic assessment, the upgrading of the fisheries governance and management framework, and the establishment of a fisheries development strategy and implementation plan to channel future investments and interventions in an appropriate sequence. Particular attention should be given early on to an increase in the quality and capacity of both public and private sector organisations relevant to roles and functions within a general process of fisheries sector reform. Finally, the fisheries policy evaluation approach used here is novel. While it has been applied to Sierra Leone for the intrinsic interest of that case, this demonstration also shows that it could be applied elsewhere in the future when reviewing fisheries policy.

Management of China's capture fisheries:Review and prospect

Management of capture fisheries has been a perpetual problem facing all fisheries countries worldwide.This study first analyzes the features of China's capture fisheries,and points out that its management tends to be more complex and difficult than any other country in the world.It goes on to describe the history of China's fisheries management and the development process of China's fisheries policies,recognizing the role of fisheries policies in guiding and promoting industrial production during the whole development process.With Fisheries Law of the People's Republic of China as the basic framework,China is thought to have initially formed a fisheries management system with a complete structure and powerful measures for constant improvement and reinforcement.Major systems and measures of China's fisheries management are summarized,with their corresponding effects being evaluated to a certain extent.China's continuous introduction of advanced fisheries management philosophies over the past decades,especially since the reform and opening up,plays an active role in securing the prosperity of the following five industries:aquaculture,capture fisheries,processing and logistics,enhancement,and recreational fisheries;more effort has been put into fisheries ecological environment restoration;and lawbased governance capacity in fisheries has been significantly improved.However,due to the characteristics of China's fisheries,as well as the complex and uncertain nature of fisheries itself,certain prominent problems still remain in its capture fisheries.With reference to relevant fisheries development planning,the study concludes with a prospect that China's capture fisheries management will be steered towards the total catch control of fisheries resources and the intensification of resource conservation and ecological restoration.