fishery

noun

fish·​ery ˈfi-shə-rē 

plural fisheries

1

: the occupation, industry, or season of taking fish or other sea animals (such as sponges, shrimp, or seals) : fishing

2

: a place for catching fish or taking other sea animals

3

: a fishing establishment

also : its fishermen

4

: the legal right to take fish at a particular place or in particular waters

5

: the technology of fishery

—usually used in plural

Examples of fishery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Given that Pacific populations are a major source of meat consumed domestically, the lack of oversight is a red flag for conservationists and fisheries managers alike. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Robert Pierce, PhD, is an associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025

Decline in salmon population The history of commercial salmon fishing in California dates back more than a century, and in the 1970s and 1980s the fishery thrived off the state's coast. —CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025

While fish has less of an environmental impact than other animals commonly used for consumption (like cows), fisheries still come with their fair share of sustainability issues, like damaging seabeds, unintentionally catching other marine animals, and overfishing. —Sam Delgado, Vox, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fishery

noun

fish·​ery ˈfish-(ə-)rē 

plural fisheries

1

: the activity or business of fishing

2

: a place or establishment for catching fish