> > > Dave Robichaud wrote:
> > > ---------------
> > > I keep hearing pro-fishing lobbyists saying "sure we fish 'em down
> > > pretty hard, but there's never actually been a species that was fished
> > > to extinction."
> > >
> > > >Does anyone know if this is true?  Have there been any species which
> > > were actually fished to death?

Dave,

I'm wondering if you are falling into a "trap" by assuming the lobbyist
has stated the situation appropriately.  I would agree that there is no
evidence that a harvested fish species has been fished to extinction;
however, I think the "question" is whether fishing has caused or
contributed to the decline in a fishery resource to the point that it is
no longer economically viable.  I think those folks on the list that are
more harvest oriented could supply a number of examples where this is the
case.  The lobbyist also seems to be assuming that there will always
something else to fish for.  This may no longer be the case since we keep
on hearing about the closure of major fishing areas and quotas on many
species seem to be getting tighter and tighter.

Larry Brown

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larry R. Brown
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Division
Placer Hall
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6129
USA

Phone:  (916) 278-3098
FAX  :  (916) 278-3071
e_mail: [log in to unmask]