8152

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8152
• Author: Olver, C. H., B. J. Shuter and C. K. Minns.
• Title: Toward a Definition of Conservation Principles for Fisheries Management.
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: YES

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PERSPECTIVE

Toward a definition of conservation
principles for fisheries management

C.H. Olver, B.J. Shuter, and C.K. Minns

Abstract: Conservation, like beauty, is clearly in the eye of the beholder. The lack of a clear
definition of what is meant by the term conservation, however, may encourage misconceptions about
the degree to which biological objectives can be traded off against pressing economic and social
objectives. Our purpose is to promote a dialogue about the meaning and practice of conservation,
which might lead toward consensus on essential biological objectives. We present a brief history of
the philosophical evolution of the term conservation and offer a definition of conservation based on
the argument for an ecological ethic. This ethic requires that human benefits be derived in a
sustainable manner and recognizes that human uses need to be reconciled with intrinsic and
necessary ecosystemic functions and structures. We then present a preliminary set of operating
principles applicable to the management of fish stocks that are consistent with an ecological or
ecosystemic view of conservation. By proposing a set of conservation principles for fisheries
management we hope to initiate a debate about just what those principles ought to be.

Resume: La conservation, comme la beaute, est dans l'oeil de celui qui regarde. Toutefois,
l'absence d'une definition claire de ce qu'on entend par Ie terme conservation peut causer des
malentendus quant 11 la possibilite de compromis entre les objectifs biologiques et des objectifs
economiques et sociaux pressants. Le but du present article est de promouvoir un dialogue sur la
signification et la pratique de la conservation, ce qui pourrait amener 11 un consensus sur les
objectifs biologiques essentiels. Nous presentons un bref historique de l'evolution philosophique
du terme conservation et offrons une definition de la conservation fondee sur la justification d'une
ethique ecologique; cette ethique exige que les humains adoptent des pratiques durables et
reconnait que les utilisations humaines doivent concorder avec les fonctions et structures
intrinseques et necessaires des ecosystemes. Nous presentons ensuite une serie preliminaire de
principes operationnels qui sont applicables 11 Iii gestion des stocks de poissons et concordent avec
une perspective ecologique ou ecosystemique de la conservation. En proposant ces principes de
conservation, nous esperons lancer Ie debat sur ce que devraient etre de tels principes.
[Traduit par la Redaction]

Introduction

A dynamic interplay among biological, economic, and
social objectives has, and will, determine the fate of
Canada's fisheries resources. Conservation and protection
are the central features of any definition of biological

Received July 8, 1994. Accepted January 16, 1995.
J12472

C.H. OlVer. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Aquatic Ecosystems Branch, P.O. Box 9000, Huntsville,
ON POA 1 KO, Canada.
B.J. Shuter. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Research, ScieRce, and Technology Branch, P.O. Box 5000,
Maple, ON L6A IS9, Canada.
C.K. Minns. Department of Fisheries 'and Oceans, Great
Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences,
Bayfield Institute, P.O. Box 5050, 867 Lakeshore Road,
Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada.

objectives, while efficiency and allocation issues dominate
the definition of economic and social objectives. Parsons
(1993) has reviewed the historical conflict among these
objectives and the influence of that conflict on the evolu-
tion of fisheries management practice in Canada. This evo-
lution has been marked by recent attempts to enshrine bio-
logical objectives in law. In 1985, the federal government
amended the Fisheries Act by adding a statement of pur-
poses (cf. Parsons 1993). The first purpose is "to provide
for the conservation and protection of fish and waters fre-
quented by fish."
The conservation and allocation of fisheries resources in
Canada are also subject to the 1990 Supreme Court of
Canada decision (Regina v. Sparrow 1990). While this
decision established the priority of food fishery rights of
indigenous peoples over the rights of other users, it also
established the primacy of conservation needs over any
use (aboriginal or not). Unfortunately, Regina v. Sparrow
did not specify what conservation means, nor did it provide

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 52: 1584-1594 (1995). Printed in Canada I Imprime au Canada