A note on “overfishing”

The continuing public concern with overfishing ignores the underlying problems that face fishery mangers. Attention needs to be given to (1) the transitory nature of the ocean environment, (2) the natural variation in fish stocks, (3) the role of the fishing industry and market forces in fishery management, and (4) the failure to focus on what it is we most need from the oceans, in what form we need it, and at what price.