Haya: The Saudi Journal of Life Sciences (SJLS)
Volume-10 | Issue-08 | 317-326
Review Article
From Overfishing to Resilience, A Global Review of Fisheries Management Strategies
Samra Batool, Sania Parveen, Rimsha Javed, Muhammad Sajid Saleem, Komal Fatima, Nida Ijaz, Anum Shahzadi, Affifa Naseer
Published : Sept. 17, 2025
Abstract
Global fisheries stand at a critical juncture, grappling with a legacy of overexploitation while facing unprecedented pressures from climate change and increasing global demand. This comprehensive review examines the historical context, current paradigms, and future pathways for fisheries management, arguing that a transition from maximizing yield to building socio-ecological resilience is essential for sustainability. The analysis synthesizes insights across ecological, technological, and socio-economic domains, critiquing traditional single-species approaches and highlighting the emergence of integrated strategies. Key findings reveal that climate change acts as a force multiplier, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities such as stock depletion and habitat degradation, thereby necessitating adaptive and anticipatory management frameworks. Technological innovations, particularly in artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and blockchain, offer transformative potential for monitoring, enforcement, and transparency, yet their implementation is fraught with challenges related to equity, access, and ethical considerations. Socio-economically, the review underscores the failure of top-down governance models and the proven efficacy of collaborative, co-management systems that incorporate community stewardship and equitable benefit-sharing. The synthesis concludes that the future of sustainable fisheries lies in regenerative blue economy systems that actively restore marine capital rather than merely deplete it. This requires transdisciplinary approaches, robust policy integration, and a fundamental revaluation of ocean resources to ensure long-term ecological health and human well-being.