The Ecosystem Approach to

Fisheries Management
of Capture Fisheries

Kevern Cochrane and Gabriella Bianchi

Fishery Resources Division
FAO
A range of views on EFBM (2)
(from Lackey, 1999)
“The move to ecosystem management concepts
is an evolutionary process that has been
underway for decades and is becoming more
and more feasible with developments in science,
technology and philosophy.” (Thomas, 1996)

“Ecosystem management defines a paradigm

that weaves biophysical and social threads into
a tapestry of beauty, health, and sustainability. It
embraces both social and ecological dynamics
in a flexible and adaptive process. Ecosystem
management celebrates the wisdom of both our
minds and hearts, and lights our path to the
future” (Cornett, 1994)
A range of views on EFBM
(from Lackey, 1999)

“I promise you that I can justify

anything you want to do by saying
it is ecosystem management. Not
that I don’t think it is a good idea. I
applaud it. But right now its
incredibly nebulous.” (Thomas,
1993)
 Why the need for EAF?

An ecosystem approach to fisheries

is a response to the identified
shortcomings in traditional fisheries
management, which has been
based on a single-species
perspective and model.
The underlying rationale of single-species
approaches: the Schaefer Model

120

100 MSY
Surplus production

80

60

40

20
B0
0
0 200 400 BMSY 600 800 1000
Stock size
The ecological reality:
…that leads to a web of
interactions
Implications of Ecosystem Interactions
for Traditional Fisheries Management
• Changes in the habitat will affect the average
sustainable yield.
• Different fisheries are linked through catches
and through the food web.
• All human goals for an ecosystem cannot be
simultaneously achieved.
• Even traditionally ‘well-managed’ fisheries can
impact biodiversity.
• Uncertainty is a primary factor influencing our
ability to management capture fisheries
• As a result while traditional methods may work in
the short-term, they are likely to result in long-
term changes in nature and productivity.
 Definition of EAF

An Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries strives

to balance diverse societal objectives, by
taking account of the knowledge and
uncertainties about biotic, abiotic and human
components of ecosystems and their
interactions and applying an integrated
approach to fisheries within ecologically
meaningful boundaries.
 The 12 principles of an ecosystem
approach (CBD, Decision V/6)
1: The objectives of management of natural resources are
a matter of societal choice.
2: Management should be decentralized to the lowest
appropriate level.
3: Must consider the effects of activities on other
ecosystems.
4: … need to manage the ecosystem in an economic
context. Actions include:
(a) reduce market distortions that adversely affect biological
diversity;
(b) align incentives to promote biodiversity conservation and
sustainable use;
(c) internalize costs and benefits in the ecosystem...
5: Conserve ecosystem structure and functioning, in order
to maintain ecosystem services.
 Principles 6-12
• manage ecosystems within the limits of their
functioning;.
• appropriate spatial and temporal scales.
• objectives should be set for the long term.
• recognize that change is inevitable.
• seek the appropriate balance between
conservation and use of biological diversity.
• consider all forms of relevant information
• involve all relevant sectors of society and
scientific disciplines.
EAF In Practice
 Making EAF Operational
High level policy goals
(Economic, Social, Environmental)

Broad objective relevant to the fishery

Priority issues
(level at which management can address)

Operational objectives

Indicators and reference points

Decision rules

Review and performance evaluation

Hierarchical Tree Framework
8 major components of ESD
The goal of EAF: feasible, reconciled
objectives for all stakeholders
PROTECTION
BIO-
DIVERSITY TUNA
FISHERY
SUBSISTENCE
FISHERY DEMERSAL
TRAWL
FISHERY
RECREAT-
IONAL
SEA BIRD
FISHERY
CONSER-
ECO-
VATION
TOURISM
SECTOR
SMALL
PROTECTION PELAGIC
CRITICAL FISHERY
HABITATS
 Threats to Implementing EAF

• Mismatch between expectations and resources.

• Reconciling much expanded set of conflicting
objectives.
• Insufficient or inadequate participation by
stakeholders.
• Insufficient knowledge.
• Equity issues.
• Etc.
 Examples of EAF in Practice
• Progress towards ecologically sustainable
development of fisheries in Australia.
• NOAA has developed a prototype Fisheries
Ecosystem Plan for the Chesapeake Bay –
currently under peer-review of the draft plan.
• Angola, Namibia and South Africa. FAO/BCLME
project: “Ecosystem Approaches for Fisheries
(EAF) Management in the BCLME"