The science and practice of fisheries management for sustainability, which is the golden goal of wildlife management, can be complex and trying. One of the fundamental complexities that must be understood is abundance versus availability of fish.

In an example of abundance, five anglers happily hold up the fish they have just caught.
In an example of abundance, anglers happily hold up the fish they have just caught. Credit: Courtesy photo

To help gain good, understandable words and perspective from an immensely experienced professional, I once talked with Mick Kronman, who was then the harbor operations manager at Santa Barbara Harbor.

Mick (make that Capt. Mick) was a commercial fisherman for many years; he also skippered open party sportboats for years, and he served as writer and editor for various publications.

Capt. Mick was one of my go-to resources for hard-to-understand fisheries management issues.

He helped me better understand that abundance is a primary product of stock assessments, which are directed and undertaken by government agencies like NOAA.

Understanding how many of a certain species are swimming in the sea, plus the rate at which they’re reproducing, dying of natural causes, being eaten by other creatures or taken by fisherfolk — for a few examples of causes of mortality — is critical to maintaining sustainable fisheries, both recreational and commercial.

Availability, however, is an entirely different matter. Boiled down, it means “When I went fishing – here or there – at a certain time and under certain ocean conditions, did I catch them?”

It is very easy to confuse abundance with availability, and such confusion can cause everything from incorrect public perception to poor public policy. 

Just because you catch them today, doesn’t mean they are abundant. [Note: Something anglers at times get wrong.]

Just because you don’t catch them tomorrow doesn’t mean they’re not abundant. [Note: Something our radical enviro friends at times get wrong.] 

Here is a shoreside example of the difference between abundance versus availability which may hit closer to home for some readers.

Say the boss takes the entire crew out to a nice bar to celebrate a big contract win. There sits a big bottle of Chivas Regal showcased behind the bar (very available) and that is what the boss orders for everyone.

The first round is generous and empties the bottle. Then to everyone’s chagrin, the bartender confesses there is no backup bottle (so no abundance) and the good stuff is depleted even though it looked to be so available.

Does that example clear things up? If it does, I’m worried about you.

Abundance versus availability is a cornerstone of managing fisheries management for sustainability. According to my example above, it also seems to work for scotch whisky.

Capt. David Bacon is a boating safety consultant and expert witness, with a background in high-tech industries and charter boat ownership and operation. He teaches classes for Santa Barbara City College and, with a lifelong interest in wildlife, writes outdoors columns for Noozhawk and other publications. The opinions expressed are his own.