The Canadian Atlantic groundfish experience and the constraints to the conservation of fisheries resources: a perspective

Most of the world groundfish fisheries are fully exploited or overexploited. Numerous constraints to conservation exist and are described from the Canadian Atlantic situation. Both harvesting and processing capacity increased significantly in the recent past and remain latent during the current fishing closures. Local economies are dependent on fishing influence, inducing a pressure on the management system. Fluctuations in the natural environment influence the regenerating capacity of populations. Several scientific knowledge gaps are appearing: overestimation of stocks, inability to assess and predict the effects of the environment. The institutional system is complex with conflicting views and numerous interactions which jeopardise coherent actions. The system is changing, and we cannot predict the actual effect of fishing closures. Changes must be made to develop a conservation strategy for the long time. A systemic approach must be developed to better understand the functioning of the system and to implement efficient acceptable conservation measures. Building a conservation capacity appears necessary.