overfiskede

Overfiskede is a Danish term used in fisheries science to describe a fish stock that has been exploited beyond sustainable levels. In English, the term is usually translated as overfished. It denotes a condition in which fishing mortality exceeds the rate at which a stock can naturally replenish, leading to declines in biomass and long-term yields. Status is typically assessed with stock assessments that compare current fishing mortality (F) to reference points such as FMSY and biomass (B) to BMSY. A stock is described as overfiskede when F is above FMSY and B is below BMSY.

Causes include excessive fishing pressure, inadequate regulatory measures, illegal fishing, bycatch, and environmental changes that affect recruitment. Data gaps and delays in management responses can allow declines to continue even after actions are taken.

Impacts include reduced catches and income for fishing communities, greater volatility in yields, and ecological effects such as altered predator–prey dynamics and reduced biodiversity. Recovery typically requires rebuilding plans, adaptive management, and sometimes ecosystem-based approaches.

Management responses focus on science-based quotas, reductions in fishing effort, gear restrictions to reduce bycatch, temporal or spatial closures, and the creation of marine protected areas, along with improved monitoring and enforcement. The aim is to reduce fishing mortality, rebuild biomass, and restore sustainable production.

See also: overfishing, stock assessment, maximum sustainable yield, TAC, marine protected area.