Ecosystem Approaches to Science and Management

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• Ecosystem Approaches to Science and Management
• Presentation at the Eighth Pacific Rim Fisheries
  Conference
• Dr. Rebecca Lent
• Director, Office of International Affairs, NOAA
  Fisheries Service
• March 22, 2006

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Ecosystem Definition

• An ecosystem is a geographically specified system
  of organisms (including humans), the environment
  and the processes that control its dynamics

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Regional Ecosystem Connections
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Ecosystem Management An Evolution, not a
Revolution
Current Focus
Evolving and Future Focus
Individual to Few Species Narrower Perspective
Scale Human Interactions Evaluated for Individual
Activities Resource Management of Few
Sectors Narrower Scientific Monitoring
Programs Narrower Use and Purpose Observations
Broader Multiple Species Broader Perspective
Scale Human Interactions Integrated to Broader
Ecosystem Broader-based Management of
Sectors Adaptive Management Based on Scientific
Monitoring Shared and Broader-based Observations
Focus on Managing Ecosystem Parts
Focus on Ecosystem Relationships, Processes and
Tradeoffs
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Push Toward EAM is International

• Numerous scientists and international
  organizations are adopting EAM, including
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
  and Natural Resources
• United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
• International Council for Exploration of the Sea
  (along with advisory committees ACFM, ACE, ACME)
• Scientific Consensus Statement on Marine
  Ecosystem-Based Management

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Elements of EAM

• Geographically specified
• Adaptive
• Takes account of knowledge and uncertainties
• Considers multiple external influences
• Balance diverse societal objectives
• Incremental
• Collaborative

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Example Fishing Capacity

• EAM strategies recognize that humans are
  important parts of their ecosystems
• Growing capacity of fishing fleets threatens
  sustainability of world fisheries
• Current fishing practices cause unintended damage
  to ecosystems
• Bycatch
• Habitat impacts

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Example Bycatch

• Bycatch threatens ecosystem health even with
  optimal fishing capacity
• EAM involves consideration of unintended impacts
  on non-target species

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Example Habitat

• Marine animals live in habitats need to ensure
  habitat composition, structure and function
• Certain fishing practices may impact long-term
  fishery survival by affecting vulnerable marine
  ecosystems
• Healthy habitats provide important services
  beyond sustaining fisheries

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NOAA Regional Ecosystems
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Global LMEs
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Pacific RFMO EAM Activities

• IATTC and WCPFC actions
• Limit increases in tuna and albacore fishing
  effort
• Encourage decreased bycatch of sea turtles,
  sharks and seabirds
• South Pacific nations plan to conserve living
  marine resources in the high seas and the South
  Pacific Ocean
• EAM is an incremental approach it will develop
  in phases over decades based on the steps already
  taken by Pacific RFMOs

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Goal A Healthy Ecosystem
Thank you!