A new method for quantifying the value of ecological environment damage caused by illegal fishing: A case study. (November 2021) - Zhuang, Wen
Abstract: Illegal fishing may trigger structural disruption of the food chain and even damage the entire marine ecosystem. This paper proposes a new method for quantifying the value of eco-environment damage caused by illegal fishing; as an example, we used an illegal fishing case of anchovies in the vicinity of the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve. Based on the data from the field investigation and literature, we estimated the number and age distribution of illegally harvested anchovies. Additionally, the potential number of the offspring was calculated according to the potential number and survival rate of anchovy eggs. Due to the unavailability of commercial anchovy fries, "alternative stock enhancement" was recommended to restore the damaged eco-environment. Notably, the alternative species should have similar economic value, status in the food chain, and living areas to anchovies. Eventually, we selected Liza haematocheilus as the alternative species and calculated the total eco-environment recovery cost. Highlights: We developed indices for evaluating eco-environment damage caused by illegal fishing. Number, age, spawning rate, and position in food chain are taken into consideration. Stock enhancement is proposed to restore fish population. Fish that cannot be farmed need to be replaced by other species in stock enhancement. The selection principles of alternative species in stock enhancement were proposed.