Probing the Potential of Marine Stock Enhancement

The Science Consortium for Ocean Replenishment (SCORE) focused on developing responsible, effective, and scientifically-based marine stock enhancement & restocking technologies. The consortium was a multi-state US initiative to help boost recovery of depleted fisheries. This research consortium was conceived and implemented by a core group of scientists dedicated to fostering and demonstrating a responsible approach to marine stock enhancement. The SCORE consortium began in 2001 and was supported through 2010.

What is stock enhancement?
The fish and invertebrates that support coastal fisheries are among our Nation's most important natural resources. Sustaining these is much more challenging today than in the past. Stock enhancement entails releasing hatchery-reared juveniles into the wild to augment the natural supply of juveniles and help optimize fishery harvests.

Prior to the 1970s, the effectiveness of stocking marine organisms had not been rigorously examined. Around 1990, debate about the scientific basis for stocking hatchery-reared organisms stimulated Hatchery Reform in the US Pacific Northwest and also fostered the development of a 'responsible approach' to marine fisheries enhancement, which continues to see expanded adoption worldwide.

The need for a science-based and responsible approach is clear. The principles and techniques for managing stocking programs effectively are now available. Adoption of a Responsible Approach leads to clarification of the results of stocking organisms into the sea to help replenish or enhance recruitment-limited fish stocks. The Responsible Approach also amplifies the probability of success.

SCORE scientists conducted research to help to make hatchery-based fisheries enhancements effective. Our publications are part of a growing body of evidence about the potential of enhancements and the utility of incorporating a Responsible Approach. The science underlying fisheries enhancement has grown steadily over the past 35 years. Stocking hatchery-reared organisms to help sustain fisheries is evolving out of the realm of uncertainty and into an effective additional tool for the fishery-management tool box to help increase abundance of recruitment-limited stocks, along with fishing regulations and habitat restoration.

Team Roles in SCORE:
Mote Marine Lab, Hubbs, NMFS Manchester Lab, UNH, USM-GCRL

Managing Stocking Effect on Fisheries

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