Abstract:
The marine environment is experiencing increased human-induced stress, compounded by natural and human-induced
(global warming) climatic changes. “Freedom of the sea” is no longer a viable option as marine resources become increasingly scarce.
Both fishermen and managers must work cooperatively and diligently to monitor the existing limited resources. In order to
effectively monitor a fishery, managers need to quantify how much is removed from the sea. Observer programs are the best way to
achieve this objective and without them, managers are operating on guesswork. Observer data is used throughout the globe by
conservation groups, international agencies, economists, and a wide array of scientists. Almost all of the catch values from commercial
fishing vessels cited in publications by these institutions originate from observer program data. Self-reporting of catch data has proven
to be inaccurate and ineffective in monitoring stocks. This is because most fishermen are concentrating on commercially valuable
species, boat maintenance and compliance to those regulations that are easily and most often checked by enforcement officials. There
is a prevailing naivety throughout societies regarding the true cost of eating fish. This must be addressed by fisheries economists so
that vital monitoring systems don't fall by the wayside.
