Global Fisheries and Sustainability
The world's fisheries are in decline. Overfishing, destructive fishing practices, and pollution are taking their toll. This site supports educators and students who would like to teach or learn more about the world's fisheries and factors that affect their health and sustainability.
The Fishing Game
| The goal of the Fishing Game is that players will understand why companies that profit from shared resources nearly always over-exploit them, and what management strategies might help sustain them and still provide a long term profit. |
The Fishing Game pits students against two virtual fishing companies. The goal is to maximize the company's bank account at the end of 10 years' fishing. This almost always results in a crash of the fishing population and ultimate demise of the fishing company. The player tries each of 4 resource management models in an attempt to both maximize profit and save the fisheries for the long term. A population modeling tool allows predictions to be made based on fishing effort and the management limitations. For example, fishing season length, % of marine reserves, or catch share, can be set depending on the chosen scenario. The results of game play are emailed to the instructor or can be printed out as a hand-in
Click here to access an overview movie about the Fishing Game.
Getting Started
Some educators prefer a linear approach where background information is presented first and activities next. Others prefer to do an exploratory activity first, to stimulate questions, and then ask students to investigte further. Class discussion questions and assignment suggestions are provided here.
Start by exploring this site using the dropdown menus near the top of the screen. You will find links to a great deal of current background on the challenges faced by the world fisheries, as well as the simulation games that motivate and illustrate the challenges faced by real world fishermen and fisheries managers.