Supporting Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management in meeting multiple objectives for sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariska Weijerman ◽  
Zack S Oyafuso ◽  
Kirsten M Leong ◽  
Kirsten L L Oleson ◽  
Morgan Winston
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

Abstract Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management is a holistic management approach that integrates the dynamics of an entire ecosystem, including societal dimensions. However, this approach seldom lives up to its promise because economic and social objectives are rarely specified. To fill this gap, we explored how an ecosystem model could better integrate economic and social objectives, using the coral reef ecosystem around Hawai`i as a case study. After meeting with stakeholders and conducting a literature review of policy/strategy documents, we identified societal and ecological objectives and associated performance indicators for which data existed. We developed a social–ecological system conceptual framework to illustrate the relationships between ecological and social state components. This framework was the foundation for the development of the final social–ecological system model which we simulated using an Ecopath with Ecosim model. We simulated four gear/species restrictions for the reef-based fishery, two fishing scenarios associated with the opening of hypothetical no-take Marine Protected Areas for the deepwater-based fishery, and a Constant Effort (No Action) scenario. Despite limitations in the model, our approach shows that when social and economic objectives and social–ecological relationships are defined, we can quantify the trade-offs among the identified societal objectives to support managers in choosing among alternative interventions.

scholarly journals Assessing Social – Ecological Trade-Offs to Advance Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e107811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudi Voss ◽  
Martin F. Quaas ◽  
Jörn O. Schmidt ◽  
Olli Tahvonen ◽  
Martin Lindegren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

Methods for Characterizing and Examining Marine Fishery Ecosystems

2021 ◽  
pp. 35-46
Author(s):  
Jason S. Link ◽  
Anthony R. Marshak
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
Ranking Methods ◽  
Marine Fishery ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

There are many variables associated with assessing marine fishery ecosystems. These include exploring facets of the living marine resources (LMRs), habitats, oceans, economics, and social considerations associated with marine social-ecological systems. Yet which ones can help track progress toward ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and, by extension, the efficacy of LMR management? This chapter provides a list of over 90 indicators we will use throughout the regional chapters, with documentation of data sources, time periods, and geographies covered, and the typical caveats associated with these data. This chapter also notes the methodology of how we synthesized all this information across all the regional chapters, noting the appropriate statistical and ranking methods we employed and the benchmarking criteria we considered to ascertain progress toward EBFM.

scholarly journals Resilience for Whom? A Case Study of Taiwan Indigenous People’s Struggle in the Pursuit of Social-Ecological Resilience

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsing-Sheng Tai
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
Indigenous Rights ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Trade Offs

While the notion of social-ecological system resilience is widely accepted and applied, the issue of “resilience for whom” is clearly ignored. This phenomenon has also occurred in Taiwan. This article explores the roots of, and a possible solution to, this issue through a case study in the context of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. The Danungdafu area, the focal social-ecological system, was studied. Qualitative research methods and an action-oriented research approach were employed. For a long period, the central government shaped the political, economic, social, institutional, and ecological contexts; dominated resilience discourses and determined the problem-framing and problem-solving agenda; defined the scale and levels at which social-ecological system governance issues were addressed; and determined the knowledge system used to define and solve problems. After 2011, a new participatory governance regime emerged. Multiple stakeholders, including indigenous communities, began to contribute to resilience discourses and influenced governance and trade-offs among differing governance goals. However, under the established structures dominated by Han people, indigenous views, rights, and well-being continue to be ignored. Affirmative action is required to recognize and safeguard indigenous rights. A practical institutional pathway is available to facilitate the transformation from “resilience for mainstream society” to “resilience for indigenous people” in indigenous territories.

scholarly journals Modelling Reef Fish Population Responses to Fisheries Restrictions in Marine Protected Areas in the Coral Triangle

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Varkey ◽  
Cameron H. Ainsworth ◽  
Tony J. Pitcher
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Marine Ecosystem Models

Marine ecosystem models are used to investigate marine protected area (MPA) benefits for coral reef ecosystems located in Raja Ampat, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Field data from an integrated and diverse research project is used to develop a spatial ecosystem model using Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace modelling software. The ecological and fisheries responses of a reef ecosystem to different levels of fishing effort restrictions inside MPAs are explored. The trade-offs of allowing some fisheries to operate inside the MPAs versus designating the MPAs as no-take zones are highlighted. The results show that rapid rebuilding of reef fish populations, especially the large charismatic species, requires no-take areas. Distinct trade-offs in spillover benefits are observed between partially fished and no-take MPAs.

scholarly journals Assessing the State of Coupled Social-Ecological Modeling in Support of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Kasperski ◽  
Geret S. DePiper ◽  
Alan C. Haynie ◽  
Suzana Blake ◽  
Lisa L. Colburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coupled Models ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Disciplinary Background ◽  
Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

There has been a proliferation of coupled social-ecological systems (SES) models created and published in recent years. However, the degree of coupling between natural and social systems varies widely across the different coupled models and is often a function of the disciplinary background of the team conducting the research. This manuscript examines models developed for and used by NOAA Fisheries in support of Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) in the United States. It provides resource managers and interdisciplinary scientists insights on the strengths and weaknesses of the most commonly used SES models: end-to-end models, conceptual models, bioeconomic models, management strategy evaluations (MSEs), fisher behavior models, integrated social vulnerability models, and regional economic impact models. These model types are not unique to the literature, but allow us to differentiate between one-way coupled models – where outputs from one model are inputs into a second model of another discipline with no feedback to the first model, and two-way coupled models – where there are linkages between the natural and social system models. For a model to provide useful strategic or tactical advice, it should only be coupled to the degree necessary to understand the important dynamics/responses of the system and to create management-relevant performance metrics or potential risks from an (in)action. However, one key finding is to not wait to integrate! This paper highlights the importance of “when” the coupling happens, as timing affects the ability to fully address management questions and multi-sectoral usage conflicts that consider the full SES for EBFM or ecosystem based management (EBM) more generally.

How to Make Individual Transferable Quotas Work Economically, Socially, and Environmentally

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Sumaila
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Fish Stock ◽  
Open Market ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Total Allowable Catch ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
Individual Transferable Quotas ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

The economic tool of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) gives their owners exclusive and transferable rights to catch a given portion of the total allowable catch (TAC) of a given fish stock. Authorities establish TACs and then divide them among individual fishers or firms in the form of individual catch quotas, usually a percentage of the TAC. ITQs are transferable through selling and buying in an open market. The main arguments by proponents of ITQs is that they eliminate the need to “race for the fish” and thus increase economic returns while eliminating overcapacity and overfishing. In general, fisheries’ management objectives consist of ecological (sustainable use of fish stocks), economic (no economic waste), and social (mainly the equitable distribution of fisheries benefits) issues. There is evidence to show that ITQs do indeed reduce economic waste and increase profits for those remaining in fisheries. However, they do not perform well in terms of sustainability or socially. A proposal that integrates ITQs in a comprehensive and effective ecosystem-based fisheries management system that is more likely to perform much better than ITQs with respect to ecological, economic, and social objectives is presented in this article.

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