usefishing

Usefishing is a term used in some environmental science and community fisheries discussions to describe practices that integrate fishing activities with sustainable resource use and ecological data collection. It is not a single, widely standardized discipline but a family of approaches and programs aimed at aligning fishery livelihoods with conservation goals. The term is most commonly found in regional studies and NGO projects rather than formal international policy.

Origins and usage: Usefishing emerged in the early 21st century in response to concerns about overfishing and data gaps in small-scale fisheries. It is used to describe both practice-based management—such as following gear selectivity, size limits, seasonal closures, and effort controls—and participatory data collection where fishers contribute catch records, specimen analyses, and situational reports to stock assessments or habitat monitoring.

Practices: Typical elements include gear restrictions to reduce bycatch, protected species handling protocols, structured catch reporting, community-based quotas, and seasonal or area-based closures. Training programs often accompany usefishing initiatives to build local capacity in data collection, basic biology, and compliance.

Outcomes and challenges: Potential benefits include improved stock information, reduced environmental impact, and strengthened livelihoods through sustainable access. Challenges include ensuring data quality, enforcement across diverse fleets, and aligning incentives among stakeholders. The term remains informal and context-dependent, with definitions varying by region and organization.