The importance of non-commercial fish

Abstract

This article deals with the importance of finfish that are not sold on any market. We detail two major points of view: the ecological significance of larvae and juveniles for future harvests, and the importance of subsistence fisheries as a food supply, particularly in the tropics. In the first case, we show that larvae and juveniles of many commercially important species are linked to estuarine and coastal environments and to their quality; they are also dependent on other species of no commercial interest. Although they do not target juvenile fishes, trawl fisheries may exert a significant negative role on their survival and therefore on future catches. However, in all cases, the relationship between juveniles and adults is difficult to quantify. In the latter case, available data show that gleaning, family fishing, and other usually neglected types of fish catch can result in surprisingly high yields not far from those of artisanal fisheries. Both these concerns require an ecosystem approach to ensure the sustainability of the resource.