The inaugural Ransom A. Myers Lecture in Science & Society—a series established in memory of the world-renowned Dalhousie marine biologist who died last year. Dr. Andy Rosenberg, a good friend of Myers’ and the man he once described as “the expert in fisheries science.” He has worked extensively in both the policy and science worlds of fisheries, and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, quickly proved his credentials as an expert on the subject we were all there to hear about: the future of fisheries.
Dr Rosenberg discussed some vital questions such as How depleted are the world’s fish stocks? What’s the carrying capacity for fish in the ocean? What is the threshold for overfishing? Dr. Rosenberg made a convincing case for one of Dr. Myers’ most controversial conclusions: the world’s fish stocks are indeed substantially depleted.
Dr Rosenberg discusses the case of Nova Scotia, for example, the biomass of Atlantic cod is down to a mere two or three per cent of what it was in 1850. Not only that, but some so-called recovery programs around the world have not actually been reducing overfishing to a level below the sustainable harvest rate.
Dr. Rosenberg finished the lecture by saying that as far as ecosystems are concerned, the distinctions between the services they provide—recreational, medicinal, culinary, and so on—are not at all clear-cut. All have an ecological impact, and all are affected in turn by ecological changes. He said that there is a need of connecting the management of different services, and a more holistic approach to maintaining the world’s oceans.
