Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management
Report to the NOAA Science Advisory Board - Exploration of Ecosystem Based Fishery Management in the United States Read More....
NOAA Fisheries releases its video on the importance of habitat in providing sustainable seafood Read More....
Visualizing the results of ecosystem modelling outputs using 3-d virtual world animations. Read More....
NOAA Fisheries produces a video on hero networks of the California Current ecosystem Read More....
NOAA Fisheries produces a video on hero networks of the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem Read More....
NOAA Fisheries produces a video on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem Read More....
NOAA strives to adopt an ecosystem-based approach throughout its broad ocean and coastal stewardship, science, and service programs. The goal of ecosystem-based management is to maintain ecosystems in a healthy, productive, and resilient condition so they can provide the services humans want and need. NOAA Fisheries refers to the ecosystem-based approach to management that is focused on the fisheries sector as ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). While EBFM is directed towards fisheries management, a similar approach, accounting for ecosystem interactions and considerations, can be applied in the management of protected and other trust marine species.
EBFM is an inclusive manner of managing fisheries.
The traditional management strategy for fisheries and other living marine resources is to focus on one species in isolation. For example, if a particular species’ population was declining, fishery managers might decide to reduce the annual catch limit the following year in an attempt to reduce overexploitation. However, fishing is only one variable that affects a species’ population. Additional elements come in to play, such as interactions with other species, the effects of environmental changes, or pollution and other stresses on habitat and water quality. To more effectively assess the health of any given fishery and to determine the best way to maintain it, fishery managers should take ecosystem considerations into account. Read more...
