Issue: Condition of the ocean and coastal waters - Condition of fisheries
This is an issue under the Coasts and oceans theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
The health of the ocean’s biodiversity is crucial to the condition of the oceans themselves. Marine biota are important to both water quality and to the ocean’s capacity to regulate the global climate. Physical marine conditions such as water quality, salinity, acidity and temperature are likewise essential to the well-being of marine life.
Condition of commercially fished species are impacted by direct exploitation by humans as well as of the range of other pressures that human activities place on the oceans.
Indicators
- CO-16 Status of Australian fisheries
Status of commercial fisheries does not give a comprehensive picture of the broader condition of marine species and ecosystems, but commercial fish species are important components of marine ecosystems and serious declines are likely to be indicative of broader ecological change. Status of commercial fisheries is assessable on the basis of catch changes, whereas the condition of non-commercial fish populations is much more difficult of assess.
Related issues
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
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