The Future of Fisheries Science on Canada's West Coast Is Keeping up with the Changes

Abstract

A look back at the issues in fisheries management oil Canada's Pacific coast identifies a history Of Surprises. "Expect the unexpected," was the advice of W.E. Ricker. Surprises will always occur, but fisheries science needs to be in a position to minimize their economic impacts and explain the causes to the people who manage and care about fish and fisheries. For example, we now recognize the critical role of climate and the ocean in the regulation of recruitment. However, we do not understand the mechanisms that link climate to the life-history strategies of key commercial species. We know that marine ecosystems off British Columbia are warming and we know that marine ecosystems can change rapidly. However, without a better understanding of the processes that link climate to fish abundance, fisheries science will be restricted in the advice it provides to managers and patrons. We also know that human populations will Continue to grow and increase the demand for seafood. Expansion of marine aquaculture and ocean ranching is the only way to meet this demand. There are excellent aquaculture-related opportunities in the coastal communities of British Columbia. but the impacts Oil natural resources are not clear and poorly researched. Wild fish and shellfish, properly harvested and properly managed, will likely continue to command premium prices. These conditions and others will affect the kind of fisheries science we do on the Pacific coast of Canada. Effective fisheries science organizations in the future will be the ones whose leaders adapt the fastest to new knowledge and new issues by forming teams of researchers that combine experience, curiosity, and new thinking. An independent fisheries science research advisory board will help make the best use of all available fisheries science in the province. With this approach, surprises may become learning experiences.