Marine fish populations in the U.S. are generally recovering, according to a new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Last year six fish populations reached healthy levels in the U.S., boosting the total number of fish populations that have recovered to 27 since 2000. The success is due to the implementation of science-based annual catch limits which regulate how many fish are caught every year.
“With annual catch limits in place this year for all domestic fish populations and the continued commitment of fishermen to rebuild the stocks they rely on, we’re making even greater progress in ending overfishing and rebuilding stocks around the nation,” said Samuel Rauch, acting assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries, in a press release.
Many of the U.S.’s fish population collapsed after decades of over-fishing. But with regulations, some fish populations have rebounded quicker than expected.
Monitoring 258 marine fish populations in the U.S., the report finds that 21 percent are overfished, down one percent from the 2010 report. Currently, the NOAA has recovery plans in place for 51 populations and is developing plans for six more.
The establishment of annual catch limits has been good for the economy, according to the report, which estimates that the recovered fish populations will bring in $31 billion annually and add half a million jobs.
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