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There was a time in Americas his
-
tory when natural resources were so
abundant that the thought of ever de-
pleting them seemed absurd. However, with
the Industrial Revolution and increased hu-
man population, it became obvious that
people not only were capable of harming
the environment, but they were doing so
at an alarming rate. As we depleted our re-
sources, competition to exploit the few re-
maining resources predictably escalated.
From these excesses was born an
awakening that came to be known as the
Conservation Movement. Under the guid-
ance of great visionaries such as Teddy
Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, we began
a process of conserving and restoring our
once great natural resources. Fundamental
to this model was the concept of managing
on a sustained yield basis. Sustained yield
is the application of time-tested agricultur-
al principles to the natural environment. In
other words managing the yield (harvest)
of renewable natural resources in such
away that they are available at the same (or
better) level to future generations.Some 25 years later, as the fram-
ers of Alaskas constitution contemplated
the proper management of Alaskas vast
natural resources, they took the sustained
yield principle to a new level. Not only
would they protect these precious assets
for future generations, they would do so for
the maximum benefit of Alaskas people
(Article VIII, Sections 1-4, Alaska State
Constitution). Upon this foundation, the
concept of abundance-based management
was built. Such management requires man
to work with the land to produce a yieldthat is not only sustainable, but is also
maximized for human benefit.
To further define and promote this
concept, the Alaska Legislature passed the
Intensive Management Law. This impor-
tant statute defines intensive management
as management of an identified big game
prey population consistent with sustained
yield through active management measures
to enhance, extend, and develop the popu-
lation to maintain high levels or provide
for higher levels of human harvest, includ-
ing control of predation and prescribed
or planned use of fire and other habitat
improvement techniques. AS 16.05.255
(j) (2)(4)(5).
At this point, it is important to note that
sustainable yield is a range of production,
rather than an exact defined quantity from
a population at maximum carrying capac-
ity every year. For example, a given piece
of land may produce a long-term averageharvest of 25 moose per year. In perfect
years this land might produce 50 moose, and
in horrible years perhaps none. The produc-
tion depends on the annual effects of envi-
ronmental resistance to population growth.
In addition, if the land has the capacity to
yield 25 moose per year on a sustainable
basis, that same piece of land can yield only
one moose, as well. Thus the range of sus-
tainable yield for moose on that particular
piece of land is 1-25 moose per year.
Critics of Alaskas Constitution an
Intensive Management Law theorize th
managing fish and wildlife populatio
for maximum harvest (often referred
as maximum sustainable yield, or MSY
could be problematic. Their theory argu
that managing at maximum is a bad ide
because it assumes that all individuals
a population are identical, and that natur
fluctuations and data gaps make it di
ficult for managers to determine the exapopulation of a species at a given momen
Consequently, many prefer the concepts
optimum sustainable yield and/or max
mum average yield, as both terms attem
to apply factors that allow managers
maintain populations at a level that is hig
but is still somewhere below MSY.
Yet, their argument ignores the oper
tive word within the MSY concept su
tainable. The sustainability of a manag
ment strategy is paramount. Any strateg
The author with a small portion of Alaskas sustainable yield.
Producing A Bounty For All Users To Enjoyby Corey Rossi
visit us on online at... www.sfwsfh.org sUmmer 2009 sportsmens voice 2
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that produces frequent collapses in a stock is by definition, not sustainable. Perhaps
more importantly, any true management strategy requires active hands on par-
ticipation by a manager to compensate for periodic environmental resistance (e.g.,
weather, poor habitat, over-hunting, predation, etc.). Simply put, the maximum
sustainable yield principle requires that managers be willing to assume the risks
and responsibilities of trying to maximize human benefits by intervening in naturalsystems over the longer term.
Whether or not one supports the concept of MSY, it is quite apparent that
the intent of Alaskas Constitution and the Intensive Management Law is to
maintain our fish and game populations at the upper end of the range of sustain-
ability. In other words, we are to manage for abundance, rather than mediocrity
(or worse yet, scarcity).
The concept of managing for abundance is also deeply rooted in the culture
and traditions of Alaska. Throughout the state, Alaskans rely heavily on the bounty
produced by their natural resources. Central to these traditions is the premise that
mankind has not only the ability, but also the obligation to manipulate natural
systems for the benefit of people, as well as for the benefit of the resource itself.
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Naturally, when resources become scarc
increased competition for the remaining resourc
exacerbates the challenge. Throw in rising energ
costs and a high unemployment rate, and the sta
is set for impassioned human conflict, as well
further resource depletion. This is precisely wh
the Palin Administrations emphasis on manag
ment of our renewable resources (especially fi
and game) to produce abundance is so importan
It has been said, A rising tide raises all shipsWhen properly applied, abundance-based fish an
game management benefits all user groups in th
true tradition of multiple use management.
So, how does Alaska apply this concep
The first step is a public process where the Boa
of Game, working with the Department of Fi
and Game, identifies the species and populatio
that need to be increased to meet the huma
need. Next, they identify the environment
resistance inhibiting the growth/maintenance
the population. Finally, a plan is developed an
implemented to mitigate the identified resistan
to the extent possible.A well-conceived plan defines the measure(
of success, and provides a mechanism to monit
success over time. The plan may involve th
manipulation of several factors and employ se
eral techniques simultaneously. Selection of the
techniques must always consider humanenes
selectivity, efficiency, and cost effectivenes
While some techniques are more controversi
than others, all are management tools and shou
be used appropriately with proper respect for th
resource(s) involved.
For example, reducing the number wolves
a given area should never become a war on wolve
any more than harvesting moose should becom
a war on moose. It is important to remember th
moose are to wolves, what vegetation is to moo
food. As we manage for abundance, we mu
realize that if we have more moose than the habit
can support, we must reduce the number of moos
or increase the habitat, or both. The same is true
moose and wolves. All are important componen
within the abundance management concept.
Alaskan abundance management embo
ies the realization that humans are not mere
intruders in the environment, nor are they mereguardians. In Alaska, the role of humans is one
thoughtful intervention to produce abundant an
sustainable populations of fish and game for a
user groups to enjoy.
Corey Rossi is a the Assistant Commission
of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game,
well as a former Assistant State Director
USDAs Wildlife Services Program in Alask
Portions of this article appeared on Februar
21st, 2009 as a COMPASS: Other points
view article in the Anchorage Daily News.
