Do Federally-Managed Fish Stocks Have a Better Stock Status Than State-Managed Fish Stocks?

Abstract

This study compared the stock status of 40 federally-managed and 69 state-managed fish stocks in the United States using B/BMSY and F/FMSY data from multiple sources. Results show that federally-managed fish stocks had a statistically significantly better overfishing status than state-managed fish stocks, based on fishing mortality ratios from 2017-2021. The difference may be attributed to the robust management approach adopted by the federal government under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Although more policy analysis is needed, these findings provide insights into how different fisheries management approaches may affect the overall stock status of state and federally managed stocks. These results will be used in ongoing Collaboratory research to understand the stock status of North Carolina fisheries.