Want Sustainable Fishing? Keep Only Small Fish, And Let The Big Ones Go

Scientists at the University of Toronto analysed Canadian fisheries data to determine the effect of the "keep the large ones" policy that is typical of fisheries. What they found is that the effect of this policy is an unsustainable fishery. In fact, the opposite policy (keep the small young ones and throw back the large old ones) would result in a more sustainable fishery. In short -- a big fish in the water is worth two in the net. Put simply, a fish population will produce more young -- and therefore sustain more fishing -- if it is made up of big, old fish.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081130210013.htm