Productivity, Fisheries and Aquaculture in Temperate Estuaries

The past 30 years have seen many advances in our understanding of estuarine productivity. Data are available for a variety of primary, secondary and tertiary producers, and empirical productivity models covering the gamut from bacteria to fisheries yield have been constructed. However, there is still a shortage of understanding as to the structuring and control of the systems. Evidence to date suggests that estuarine fisheries are being over-exploited with several species highly endangered. While aquaculture does offer the prospect of continuing growth, concerns are starting to be expressed over its immediate and long-term environmental impacts.