Introduction
The chapter 13 by Hiram W. Li and Peter B. Moyle discusses a problem of fish introduction and fish management in inland waters. A special attention is given to current problems and threats caused by poor ecology and increased pollution. Fish introduction should be the main priority of fish management as this is one of the strategies which helps to save species form extinction in inland waters. In the introductory part, the authors argue that providing varied recreational use of natural resources became a national priority. The success of environmental laws as applied to broad outdoor recreational purposes underlined a trend game conservationists had begun to observe.
Body
The main reasons for fish introduction are to improve ecology of the region, save some species and increase fish management facilities and industry activities. The authors promote the multiple-use concept to maximize available lands for wildlife. The authors underline that the local communities had insufficient money, manpower, and legislative authority for diverse, balanced land management, in particular for the enhancement of water management values. In many regions, fishing companies have ignored conservation measures and refused to cooperate with the state in the sustainable management of fishery resources. Such unregulated fisheries have had serious impacts on stocks and catch levels in inland waters. For this reason, the purpose of fish introduction is to preserve local flora and fauna and protect it from extinction.
The chapter 13 gives a detailed analysis of the Ecological Theory and relations between fishery resources and fauna of a region. The authors underline that the community must responded to the crisis in fisheries by developing the necessary and more specific elaboration of the legal responsibilities. The ecological theory shows that states are to take into account in developing compatible conservation and management measures. The theoretical framework for evaluating species introductions is a detailed analysis of strategies and techniques used for fish management. The framework involves number of species and population size, types of introduction and management. The authors underline that a special attention should be given to natural environment and traditional fauna of the region. In addition, there is a need to develop clear principles for fishery management of straddling stocks and highly migratory stocks, it delegates the task of developing and implementing detailed management measures to regional fisheries management organizations or arrangements. Membership of these organizations/arrangements should be open to all companies and local suppliers.
The section, Alternatives to Introductions, proposes strict legal measures and the policy of reduced access to inland fishery resources. Thus, the authors prove that this approach is not desirable and cost effective because it will not help to save the population of fish and preserve natural environment from degradation. The next section, Guidelines for Potential Introductions, provides readers with detailed analysis of all steps and methods used for fish introduction. The authors argue that there is a need to limit the freedom to fish for several years. The tightening of enforcement regimes, particularly with regard to countries not party to a regional management body or arrangement, represents an important step forward in enabling the local community to conserve stocks. The chapter provides a careful and detailed analysis of fish introduction and ecological theory based on research and theoretical analysis. The knowledge gap is that the chapter does not address the problem of unauthorized access to fish areas and possible ways to deal with this problem. Also, there is little information about pollution and management. Such researchers as Minckley and Deacon (43) found that pollution is the main problem of fish extinction, and fish introduction is a temporary measure only. Waste disposal and water pollution should be the main priority of organizations aimed to protect natural resources and fauna from extinction. Fish introduction would an ineffective solution because it cannot solve the problem of water pollution in general. In addition, Nicholas (66) underlines that communication with local communities and effective local management initiatives would help to implement new programs and preserve natural environment. One issue in terms of high inland water compliance that warrants noting is the commitment of regional communities to the use of vessel monitoring systems. Nonbiodegradable pollutants, on the other hand, are dangerous simply because organisms have neither evolved enzymes capable of digesting them, nor have they developed a defense mechanism against them. There are connections between vanishing wilderness, pollution, overpopulation, poverty, war, and justice. During the fourth and final stage, some environmentalists see these connections and seek large-scale solutions that involve many aspects of society. The new environmentalists focus on the fate and condition of planet Earth as a whole. Unlike wildlife conservation, antipollution emphasizes specific problems, thus the sustainability movement seeks to build a self-sustainable human system. This means meeting the needs of existing people without reducing the quality of the environment for future generations. Understandably, the models proposed by the Chapter 13 lack the sophistication necessary to predict every aspect of human and environmental development. The models have created a surge of interest among scientists and even policymakers about the concept of sustainability.
Works Cited
Hiram W. Li and Peter B. Moyle, Management of Introduced Fishes. Chapter 13.
Kohlerm C. Hubert, W. Inland Fisheries Management in North America. American Fisheries Society, 1999.
Minckley, W. L., Deacon, J. E. Battle Against Extinction: Native Fish Management in the American West. University of Arizona Press, 1991.
Nicholas, J. W. Umpqua Fish Management District’s guide to instream & riparian restoration sites and site selection: Results of a cooperative project. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, 1996.