Research Document - 2012/141
A Science-based Interpretation and Framework for Considering the Contribution of the Relevant Fish to the Ongoing Productivity of Commercial, Recreational or Aboriginal Fisheries
By M.A. Koops, M. Koen-Alonso, K.E. Smokorowski, and J.C. Rice
Abstract
Amendments to the Fisheries Act include the need to consider the “contribution of the relevant fish to the ongoing productivity of commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fisheries” when making decisions on activities that may affect fish that are part of the fisheries and their habitats, and the fish that support the fisheries and their habitats. Here we consider that the contribution is measured by the impact that would be expected on the productivity of commercial, recreational or Aboriginal (CRA) fishery species if the change to the potentially affected species or habitats, associated with a work, undertaking or activity (w/u/a) takes place. We conceptualize the contribution as a relationship between the productivity of the fishery and state of the affected species or habitats. The shape of this relationship, the potential presence and position of inflections points and its slope can inform management decisions about risks associated with changes to the state of the affected species or habitats. Here we describe this contribution framework and outline the information needed for its application within a precautionary framework. This framework does not make the decisions automatically, but it does provide a structure for organizing information and bringing consistency to decision-making.
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