Search

China's 13th Five-Year Plan, launched in March 2016, provides a sound policy platform for the protection of marine ecosystems and the restoration of capture fisheries within China's exclusive economic zone. What distinguishes China among many other countries striving for marine fisheries reform is its size--accounting for almost one-fifth of global catch volume--and the unique cultural context of its economic and resource management. In this paper, we trace the history of Chinese government priorities, policies, and outcomes related to marine fisheries since the 1978 Economic Reform, and examine how the current leadership's agenda for "ecological civilization" could successfully transform marine resource management in the coming years. We show how China, like many other countries, has experienced a decline in the average trophic level of its capture fisheries during the past few decades, and how its policy design, implementation, and enforcement have influenced the status of its wild fish stocks. To reverse the trend in declining fish stocks, the government is introducing a series of new programs for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, with greater traceability and accountability in marine resource management and area controls on coastal development. As impressive as these new plans are on paper, we conclude that serious institutional reforms will be needed to achieve a true paradigm shift in marine fisheries management in China. In particular, we recommend new institutions for science-based fisheries management, secure fishing access, policy consistency across provinces, educational programs for fisheries managers, and increasing public access to scientific data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article records the position of the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) on legislation and legislative activity. It is provided for information and guidance of the members of the Association. The Association has been granted exemption from the payment of federal income taxes as an organization of the type described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. The scope of legislative activity by the Association aims to fulfill the educational purposes of the Association as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and the Constitution. The Association serves as a major source of information, research, and expert opinion on guidance and personnel work to the Congress of the United States to federal, state and local governments to independent agencies, to the general public, and to its members. The motivation of APGA is to be as effective as possible in representing the needs and concerns of the members of APGA in the setting defined in this article. To do this purposefully requires considerable effort and continually reexamined knowledge of complex factors. The job is not easy but, with one's understanding and help the association can strive to make its voice one of significance and it can achieve the objectives of the Association without jeopardizing its favored tax position.