Aligning fisheries terminology with diverse social benefits

Abstract

Globally, marine fisheries provide many societal benefits that are not reflected in the way that fisheries are categorized for management and reporting. This paper provides a systematic review of U.S. policy documents and peer-reviewed literature to identify potentially underrepresented fishing practices and communities associated with non-commercial fishing, i.e., fishing that is not clearly commercial or recreational. A wide range of terms were used for types of non-commercial fishing, and five underlying dimensions emerged: (1) fisher demographics; (2) fishery characteristics; (3) disposition of fish; (4) beneficiaries of fishing; and (5) reasons for fishing. Further examining fishing terms against disposition of fish revealed three classes of uncounted benefits: food systems, culture and heritage, and non-market economies. Subsistence fishing was one of the most prevalent terms and is broad enough to cover all three classes of uncounted benefits; but the strong association of the term with food and Indigenous cultures may mask other important social, cultural, and non-market economy contributions. Additional data are needed to evaluate the degree to which broader social outcomes are achieved equitably, especially as fishing communities experience more frequent disruptions to traditional markets and supply chains due to increased storms, wildfires, pandemics, and other disasters. More careful accounting of food systems, culture and heritage, and non-market economies is crucial to ensure fisheries provide the greatest benefits to the nation, evaluate the degree to which management goals and distribution of benefits are achieved equitably, and support resilience of fisheries and fishing communities in the face of climate change.