Calif Bill wrote:

As an aside to the conservation. England became world dominant after the
Spanish fleet was decimated because they had the trees from the American
Colony and Spain had cut all their trees to build their fleets.

When we visited New England last month we toured some 18th Century
buildings. Using very broad planks in the floors was considered a sign
of wealth in those days, up to a point. On a couple of these excursions
the tour guides informed us that none of the planks in the floors would
ever be 24-inches or larger. During colonial times, the King's
foresters would blaze all of the trees larger than 24-inches in
diameter to indicate that when the tree was harvested it was to be sent
to England for use in planking warships. One of the tour guides claimed
that this is where the term "King's ransom" originated. (Would want to
check that out a bit before signing on entirely).

It is interesting to compare how the English, French and Spanish
developed their territories in the Western hemisphere and how that
shaped destinies. While there were certainly many early Spanish
settlements, Spain primarily sent priests and soldiers to subjugate the
native population and extract resources. Spain also extended its
influence across what was by far the most enormous geographical area.
France set priests, soldiers, and some settlers as well and was just
slightly less territorially ambitious than the Spanish. The English
originally claimed the smallest territory, set up permanent
settlements, concentrated on relocating religious and political
dissidents (as well as convicted criminals) to the New World on a
permanent basis, and concentrated on creating colonies that could be
exploited by English trading monopolies. Probably due to the fact that
more farmers, tradesmen, and families were sent by the English than by
the French or Spanish the English society ultimately prevailed across
the majority of North America. (Priests don't procreate, and soldiers
eventually go "home").

All of which reflects, in a way, on fisheries management: How we choose
to utilize our resources (of all types) today will make a difference in
the future. We may not be able to
clearly define what that difference will be, but history is filled with
examples to show us that resource management is critical. Time after
time, it appears that "conservation" (a moderate term curiously out of
fashion these days) is more prudent than unrestrained exploitation.