Every week I post positive conservation stories, because I think positive stories don't get enough attention. They're so uplifting -- and motivating, too. If you have a positive story about a project that you would like shared, please send it my way!
So, today's success story is about the rebound of several West Coast species that were overfished and restricted for years. Yellow eye and bocaccio rockfish, cow cod, and ocean perch are all rebounding DECADES before they were predicted to be doing so!
Their decline was declared a federal disaster in 2000. "We thought it might take a century or so for them to rebuild themselves, but now it's now taking maybe about a decade." Which is crazy!
How did they do it? Managers closed huge sections of the ocean to fishing and reduced catch limits + a system of catch shared. "The entire culture had to change. I give kudos to the fishing industry because they've been through some tough times."
Currently, all but two overfished species have been completely replenished. Now, fishermen have fewer restricted fish and higher catch limits on the other species that are still rebuilding.
Pictured: a happy dude with a big ol' yellow eye rockfish
Pictured: a happy dude with a big ol' yellow eye rockfish
Now, "we have a different view of the biology, there have been a lot of drastic cuts, and the industry has been wonderful in allowing these stocks on less fishing pressures. We're seeing some really positive results now and it's quite wonderful to see."
If you would like to read more -- source: opb.org/news/article/g…
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