Fisheries resources are profoundly influenced by decisions made outside the direct purview of the fisheries scientist. Contemporary society has and will continue to impose greater burdens on the resource. As a common property, public policy makers have an obligation to recognize fishery resources as an inherent value to protect when using water for other purposes. This often has not been done in the past and will not in the future without a better understanding of and a more vocal voice in behalf of fisheries resources. Unilateral action by the fishery scientist will not achieve adequate protection of aquatic resources. Sympathetic and informed citizen involvement in questions of water policy, water law, and water management in relation to fishery requirements is needed. The fishery scientist should actively seek and encourage citizen conservation groups and join with them in an alliance in the decision making process.
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