Hilborn, Ray, et al. “Global Status of Groundfish Stocks” Fish and fisheries (Oxford, England) 22, no. 5 (2021): 911–928.
This review assesses the status of 349 groundfish stocks, representing about 90% of the global groundfish catch, many of which are targeted by bottom fisheries. The study finds that average stock abundance is increasing globally and is now at or above levels that can sustainably produce maximum yields, reflecting improvements in fisheries management over recent decades. Fishing pressure has declined substantially since the 1990s, particularly in Europe, North America and the Southern Hemisphere, allowing many stocks to recover from past overfishing. Importantly, the authors show that most lost catch potential today is not due to overfishing, but because some healthy stocks are fished conservatively or constrained by mixed-fishery rules. Overall, the paper demonstrates that well-managed bottom fisheries can deliver stable food production while maintaining healthy fish stocks, and that continued investment in science-based management is key to long-term sustainability.
