Challenges and Solutions for Sustainability in Fisheries: Perspectives from Environmental Economics and Game Theory

Global capture fisheries production has remained relatively stable since the late 1980s, fluctuating between 86 and 94 million tonnes with an isolated peak of 96 million tonnes in 2018 (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. World fisheries production 1950-2022

In the report The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states that 230 states and territories have some commercial activity related to fishery and aquaculture products. Of the world's production of aquatic animals, including capture fisheries and aquaculture (185 million tonnes in 2022), more than 89% is used for human consumption, representing a total value of USD 452 billion in 2022, of which USD 156 billion (91 million tonnes) corresponds to capture fisheries. The largest producer of aquatic animals in areas marinas is China with 12 million tonnes, and Mexico ranks 11th among the world's producers; see Table 1 [10].

Table 1. Capture fisheries in marine areas

Given that production and consumption patterns tend to be positive, fishing is considered a source of food security and employment. However, the absence of property rights due to the migration of fish populations and open-access geographic areas increases the extensive use of this common resource [11].

The FAO indicates that fish populations suffering from overfishing increased from 35.4% in 2019 to 37.7% in 2021, and that most fisheries are at their maximum sustainable yield level. This scenario shows differences between fishing regions in each country; Figure 2 illustrates the varying degrees of fishery resource sustainability [10].

The problems arising from the management of fishery resources are negative environmental externalities that generate social costs and affect communities [12].

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Figure 2. Percentages of fishery stocks

This highlights the need for innovative approaches that integrate economic incentives with conservation goals, ensuring that fishers have a vested interest in the long-term health of the fisheries.

In Mexico, it was recorded that by 2018 the fishing industry generated added value amounting to 35,085.7 million pesos, among all economic activities, it accounts for 0.9% of employment generation, ranking seventh, and 0.2% of added value generation, ranking ninth [13]. The fishing sector faces pressure on the most commercially valuable species and decreasing yields. The environmental performance index averages the catch based on live weight captured and the number of registered vessels. In the historical series from 1990 to 2017 (Figure 3), tuna fisheries have not recovered the values obtained in 2014, maintaining a 62% decrease. Sardine remains at 56% by 2017 compared to 1990, scale fish show significant growth of 97%, and shrimp exhibits fluctuations throughout the series, closing 2017 with a yield of 197%, a figure related to the withdrawal of vessels since 2005, which increased its competitiveness [14].

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Figure 3. Capture fisheries by main species

Although successful practices are scarce in Mexico, there are some fisheries, such as lobster and tuna, whose certification strategies have managed to be sustainable thanks to state intervention and differentiated regulatory systems that achieve Pigouvian welfare [15]. Since fishing is an anchor for the subsistence of communities, proposals have been made to minimize the risk of overexploitation by rationalizing resources over time. The rule of weak sustainability is explained in terms of environmental economics [16]. Ostrom suggests that the way to address the tragedy of the commons is through collective action, strengthening voluntary agreements and institutional participation [17]. It has been demonstrated that when communities actively participate in the formulation and application of regulations, economic benefits are improved without compromising resources [18]. It is difficult to align the different expectations and opinions of the participating agents; cooperative game models explain more solidly the behavior and dynamics under which the organisms involved in fishery governance operate [19].

In addition, interdisciplinary research has increasingly shown that integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with scientific data can significantly enhance fisheries management. Local fishers often possess detailed knowledge of marine ecosystems and fish behavior, accumulated over generations. Leveraging this knowledge in combination with scientific research can lead to more effective and culturally appropriate management strategies.

4.1 Preliminary data collection

A period of 10 years is considered relevant to understand the trend line regarding the applicability of the proposals developed by researchers. This also considers the relevance for the academic body in constructing knowledge that serves to provide solutions to an economic sector on which various communities depend. After a 2022 with scarce scientific publication due to the Covid-19 effect, the trend line for fishing cooperatives and mangrove care is positive due to the growing interest in including socio-ecological effects. The variable game theory is constant, and fishing quotas have more pronounced breaks resulting from the adjustments that each country makes to its region.

In analyzing the data in Figure 4, it is crucial to highlight the shifts in research focus that occurred throughout the decade. For instance, the early years saw a strong emphasis on maximizing economic yields and managing fish stocks through traditional means. However, as the decade progressed, there was a marked shift towards incorporating socio-ecological considerations into fisheries management. This shift is evidenced by the increasing number of studies that explore the integration of community-based approaches and the impact of environmental changes on fishery sustainability.

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Figure 4. Number of publications 2014-2024

The data (Figure 5) shows that although environmental sciences predominate, research is increasingly an interdisciplinary work. It is notable that in various studies classified as environmental, there are articles with economic variables and vice versa. This indicates a fluid knowledge in fishing that tends to be increasingly integral.

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Figure 5. Thematic areas 2014-2024

Moreover, the collaboration between disciplines has led to the development of more holistic management strategies that consider the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of fisheries. This interdisciplinary approach is not only beneficial for creating more comprehensive management plans but also essential for addressing the complex and interconnected nature of fishery ecosystems.

4.2 Citation and productivity

Table 2 shows the 10 most cited authors. The most cited article corresponds to the thesaurus "quotas," titled "dynamic ocean management," which addresses the maritime resource as a fluid element where regions, species, and users are differentiated, and use rights such as dynamic and adaptive fishing quotas to the environment are needed [20].

An interesting observation from the citation analysis is the emergence of new influential authors and institutions over the decade. This reflects a dynamic research landscape where new ideas and approaches continuously challenge and refine existing paradigms. The increased citation of interdisciplinary studies also underscores the growing recognition of the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to tackle the multifaceted issues in fisheries management.

Table 2. Most cited authors

Table 3. Most productive authors

Table 3 shows the data indicates that the countries among the top fish producers are also those generating the most research articles. Eight of the fifteen most cited authors are actively generating content mainly related to the environment and its effects on communities.

This geographic distribution of influential research highlights the global nature of fisheries challenges and the necessity for international collaboration. Countries with significant fishery industries tend to invest heavily in research to address both local and global fishery issues, contributing valuable insights and innovative solutions that benefit the broader scientific community.

4.3 Co-citation

Continuing with the author analysis, we present a network diagram (Figure 6) showing collaborations. It is possible to distinguish the working groups by thematic area. 

The thematic areas of each working group, their orientation, and weight are identified from the network map according to the generated clusters.

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Figure 6. Co-author network map

The most influential author is Sveinn Agnarsson, who has collaborated on evaluations of fisheries policies. His most cited articles are developed in the case studies of Iceland, the main proponent of fishing quotas characterized by comprehensive regulatory systems and considered a success story.

Fishing quotas, although they form a study group, present endogenous dissimilarities. They are generally compared with other use rights strategies, and between countries, they show adaptations by region and species, so it is not possible to speak of a single thought scheme. As Stefan B. Gunnlaugsson indicates, sustainability persists but not consensus. This is why the predominant research groups focus on evaluations that provide consistent information for decision-making that maintains the balance between maximizing benefits and distributing common resources.

Table 4. Co-citation groups

The co-citation analysis reveals several key insights into the structure and dynamics of research collaborations within the field of fishery sustainability. By examining the network of co-authors, in Table 4 we can identify influential researchers and research groups that drive the development of specific thematic areas.

The first group addresses the problems of fishery sustainability by considering the use rights under which it would be possible to redistribute wealth in a common-pool resource. They evaluate the strategy of fishing quotas from the perspective of cooperative participation and game models to make decisions related to economic arrangements and transboundary fish populations, which due to climate change, exhibit more erratic behaviors. Finally, they critique fishing quotas on the need to reinvent them to include socio-economic factors that translate into community well-being.

The second group generates content on risk assessments, performance indicators, and fishing policies. They conduct various case studies with positive results and emphasize the need to consider ecosystem-based approaches in quota calculations as they have demonstrated strength in maintaining biomass. The third group works collaboratively with Agnarsson, who serves as the linking author between the different clusters. Their greatest strength lies in evaluating fishing quotas. In 2024, the idea that ITQs (Individual Transferable Quotas) present transitory gains, implying that in the long term they tend to be unsustainable. The results indicated a relationship of only 26%, suggesting that it is a functional system but only in a solid context and with the participation of fishers [30]. As demonstrated by Maartje Oostdijk, who explains that ITQs are weak in the face of financial instability because fishers will not respect quotas if their earnings cannot be guaranteed [31].

Academics often insist on studying fisheries from an endogenous point of view due to their dynamic nature and the cultural factors of small-scale fisheries. Case studies are recurrent to explain and model strategies. The resulting map is only a reflection of the literature review; more in-depth studies are needed to observe the countries and policies not included in the study.

In Figure 10, we can observe the countries where experiments are conducted and the preferred fishery policy in each area.

It is interesting to note that there is no consensus on a single fishery policy. Each region, based on its ecosystem, commercial species, and prevailing socio-economic system, selects the appropriate strategy for the community. However, the prevalence of indicators that tend to performance metrics is also recognizable.

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Figure 10. Case studies

For Mexico, governance remains the way to manage resources. The evidence suggests that it is feasible to bet on already proven models that reinforce existing regulation. Case studies show a strong fishery cooperative [34] where high levels of participation generate commitments for responsible ecosystem care [35].