Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: Selected Examples

Abstract

This chapter recapitulates the approach presented in the book on the scientific advice towards the management of fishery resources; but specially, the transition from the conventional approach based on population dynamics, to the ecosystem-based approach based on holistic attributes. The first considers a stable carrying capacity and fishing as the main driver of stock abundance; while the second recognizes the effects of populations’ interdependencies within the ecosystem, in addition to fishing and climate patterns. For the second approach, different holistic ecosystem biological reference points, EBRP, are discussed, based on information of the trophic network and leading with specific harvest rates, an approach named “from ecosystems towards individual populations.” Since the effect of climate patterns and fishing generate changes in abundance over time, and that populations adapt accordingly and ecosystem reconfigure continuously, it is discussed adaptability as a better option for the management for fisheries sustainability. It is also discussed the inherent complexity in management practice related to some concepts like noxicline or resilience, which can be suggested as limit harvest rates. Complexity is not in estimation of EBRPs, but in their implementation because they are not tangible concepts like biomass or fishing effort, since they come from the trophic network properties. This means that the use of EBRPs needs a higher degree of confidence by the fishing sector. In contrast to use them as EBRP_Limit, they could be, instead, applied as EBRP_precautionary.