STEWARDSHIP

The monotheistic basis for, and particularly the Judeo-Christian ethic of, stewardship is pervasive in natural resource management. There are implications from this ethic, and it would be useful to examine them, for they underlie many of the philosophies and considerations for how and why we conduct fisheries management.

The Hebrew word radah is used in the commonly quoted and commonly misunderstood passage from Genesis noted above. This word also implies concepts of ruling, having dominion over, taking charge, and being responsible for. Commonly misunderstood, radah really means that humankind was given the authority to subdue natural resources for beneficial management, meaning beneficial to both humans and the resources. It also means that humankind is responsible for using these natural resources well. But most telling is that this signifies that humankind is ultimately accountable for how we use those resources. There is no room in the interpretation of this word for pillaging, ruling with an iron fist, pollution, overutilization, or general mismanagement that often is misconstrued by the translations “rule” or “dominion over.”

Ultimately, the concept espoused here, and confirmed repeatedly in the Judeo-Christian religious texts, is of stewardship. Stewardship implies a sacred trust, inherently common in many of the indigenous tribes and cultures across the planet. But there is more.