Hilborn/Worm study published

Dr. Ray Hilborn and Dr. Boris Worm and 19 others have collaborated on a paper published in this week's Science which recommends that catch limits must be more conservative than they have been in the past but sees hope for the eventual recovery of depleted stocks.

New Analysis of Global Fisheries Data Suggests Many Marine Ecosystems Can Recover Under Appropriate Management[NOAA]

An international team of scientists with divergent views on ocean ecosystems has found that efforts to rebuild many of the world’s fisheries are worthwhile and starting to pay off in many places around the world. Their study puts into perspective recent reports predicting a total collapse of global fisheries within 40 years.

The PEW Charitable Trusts issued a statement on the report:
Statement on the Hilborn-Worm Study on Rebuilding Global Fisheries Published in 'Science'

“A large and diverse group of leading fisheries scientists and ecologists have concluded that the common benchmark now used to determine the amount of ocean fish to catch is not a viable approach for managing our oceans. The study disproves the notion that we can push catch targets to their limits and still maintain healthy ocean ecosystems. Fishing targets must be more conservative than they have been in the past." [More]

The seemingly good news was greeted by a fresh round of conspiracy theories in the pages of the Gloucester Daily Times:
Upbeat fishing study raises red flags

Until yesterday, the academic-science-media crusade against alleged "overfishing," mobilized by the Pew Environment Group and the Environmental Defense Fund, suffered from a bad reputation in some circles.[More]

Read the article at Science:
Rebuilding Global Fisheries [Subscription Required]