I am not an expert on the science of fish populations. Over the years, I have followed the issue in the local news, but I have no idea if what I have read is really accurate. Also I do not know if it is reasonable to model fish populations with something as simple as the logistic model with constant harvesting. However, I do find it interesting that an analysis of the bifurcation diagram for this model supports conclusions that are counterintuitive.

Here are some links that I have stumbled across over the years. I have not done a systematic search.

• Article in the Boston Globe on February 15, 2010
  (free access on February 15 and February 16)
• Article from SCIENCE magazine that was shown in class
  (free access if you visit the site from the BU network)
• Collection of articles in the Gloucester Daily Times
• Home page of the Marine Stewardship Council
• Marine Conservation Biology Institute's web page on the Georges Bank
• Home page of a documentary on the issue
  This documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January of 2009. The movie has a definite point of view, and I do not know how accurate it is.

Paul Blanchard
February 15, 2010