Abstract
Our current aquatic resource management methodology is in dire need of modernization. While many animal rights and animal welfare organizations have seen great success in recent decades regarding certain species of marine life, such as marine mammals used in entertainment, there is still much work to be done regarding animal welfare in the aquaculture and fishery industry. The primary focus of this presentation will be the proposal of an alternative method of fishery management that will accomplish the goals of animal welfare and industry managers to create a modern fishery management method. Many animal welfare experts are familiar with the term “stockmanship” which is a holistic livestock management methodology that focuses on “knowledgeable and skillful handling of livestock in a safe, efficient, effective, and low-stress manner.” (Stockmanship Journal) While this field is not necessarily the standard practice in the livestock industry, it has shown marked growth and proven benefits to both animal health and livestock management. (Cote) One of the primary practices of stockmanship is Low-Stress Livestock Handling, which is a livestock-centered, behaviorally correct, psychology-oriented, ethical, and humane method of working livestock. The cornerstone of this practice is an understanding of the psychology of the animals being managed. This practice has shown great benefit in cattle-herding, and it may be possible to import some of the techniques and outlooks used in this practice into fishery management. While scientific understanding of marine life is still limited in scope, there have been great strides in understanding some fish species’ biology and psychology. (Brown) These developments and understandings in the field could be an opportunity for increasing the welfare and health of fish and other marine life used in aquaculture.
