Fish Stock Sustainment Plan

Fish Stock Sustainment Plan

Water Resource Plan

Introduction
      This paper is to introduce a plan that will strike a medium between the two poles of thought. There are the fishermen who want to keep their business, as this is all they have, while there are the environmentalists who wish to maintain the marine ecosystem.

The Problem
      Several studies have shown that over the past ten years, the population of big fish in the ocean has been reduced by 90 percent purely by overfishing. These studies also claim that overfishing has proven much more effective at reducing the population and reducing the quality of water than pollution. This finding however is disputed by fishermen, claiming that they have not seen a reduction in their average catch. As the environmentalists propose a large safe zone for fish which would likely be up to 50 percent of the ocean, fishermen think that restricting them from so wide of an area of fishing will destroy their business.

Sustainment Plan

Action Items Action Steps Timeline
Research which ecosystems need rebuilding. Use modeling techniques to investigate the best areas for no-fishing zones. Model how long it will take for fish populations to rebound. Month 1-3
Investigate current fishing production and estimate production with no fishing zones. Investigate current practices to find out how much it will cost the fisheries to reduce the area they can fish in. Also model how they will be affected by higher populations in the future to find out effectiveness of no fishing zones. Month 1-3
Create a balanced presentation for both the fishing community and the environmentalists. Create a presentation that shows the results of our research, and combines an approach that will benefit both sides of the issue. A balanced plan will be much more helpful than emphasizing one side. Month 4-5
Present finished presentation to the community. Inform both sides of our findings and work with both of them to strike a balance between fishing and...