Great Lakes Fisheries Policy and Management: A Binational Perspective (Canadian Series)

The Laurentian Great Lakes comprise an expansive and complex ecosystem that holds 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water supply. Their habitat diversity supports a wide variety of fish, which in turn supports valuable fisheries that contribute to the economic well-being and the general quality of life in the region. Responsibilities for the management of these resources rest with the federal governments of the United States and Canada, eight state governments, and one provincial government. Since the fish of the Great Lakes do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries, controversies over allocation and management frequently occur. Great Lakes Fisheries Policy and Management focuses upon the United States- Canada experience with shared fishery resources and encompasses our current understanding of the ecological, sociological, and policy issues that face Great Lakes fishery managers and policymakers in both countries. The chapters of this book were written by respected Great Lakes scientists from federal, state, and provincial management agencies.