Fisheries (plural):
* Refers to the industry of fishing, encompassing all aspects from catching fish to processing, marketing, and distribution.
* It can also refer to the resource itself, meaning the population of fish or other aquatic species that are harvested.
* Example: "The global fisheries industry is facing challenges due to overfishing."
Fishery (singular):
* Refers to a specific fishing area or group of fishers that target a particular species or group of species.
* It can also refer to a specific fishing method or management system used in a particular area.
* Example: "The Alaskan king crab fishery is highly regulated to ensure sustainability."
In summary:
* Fisheries is a broader term encompassing the entire industry and the resource itself.
* Fishery refers to a specific, localized aspect of fishing, be it a location, group, method, or management system.
Think of it this way:
* Fisheries is like the whole restaurant industry, while a fishery is like a specific seafood restaurant.