Shifting Baselines: The Past and the Future of Ocean Fisheries

by Jeremy B.C. Jackson (Editor), Jeff Bolster (Contributor), Francisco Chavez (Contributor)

Shifting Baselines explores the real-world implications of a groundbreaking we must understand the oceans of the past to protect the oceans of the future. In 1995, acclaimed marine biologist Daniel Pauly coined the term "shifting baselines" to describe a phenomenon of lowered expectations, in which each generation regards a progressively poorer natural world as normal. This seminal volume expands on Pauly's work, showing how skewed visions of the past have led to disastrous marine policies and why historical perspective is critical to revitalize fisheries and ecosystems.
 
Edited by marine ecologists Jeremy Jackson and Enric Sala, and historian Karen Alexander, the book brings together knowledge from disparate disciplines to paint a more realistic picture of past fisheries. The authors use case studies on the cod fishery and the connection between sardine and anchovy populations, among others, to explain various methods for studying historic trends and the intricate relationships between species. Subsequent chapters offer recommendations about both specific research methods and effective management. This practical information is framed by inspiring essays by Carl Safina and Randy Olson on a personal experience of shifting baselines and the importance of human stories in describing this phenomenon to a broad public.
 
While each contributor brings a different expertise to bear, all agree on the importance of historical perspective for effective fisheries management. Readers, from students to professionals, will benefit enormously from this informed hindsight.

Genres: Science, History, Biology, Nonfiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackson, Alexander, and Sala have curated an anthology of essays about the decline of marine ecosystems and how the phenomenon of shifting baselines has made it difficult for us to accept how much change has happened. It is a very important concept; the essays are somewhat uneven but this is still an important contribution that should be read and taken seriously by fisheries scientists.

[Karen Schnitzer]

This is a somewhat technical book, but easy to understand, and full of good information.

[Maggie Hesseling · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. I especially liked the historical aspects brought to light. I'm not that well read into fisheries or know much about fishing in general, however, the information in this text is accessible and well written. Each contributor brings another look into the field, with them all agreeing on the importance of history. It's a lesson that I think should be adopted in quite a few different industries.