scholarly journals Navigating the seascape of ocean management: waypoints on the voyage toward sustainable use

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Katona ◽  
Johanna Polsenberg ◽  
Julia Lowndes ◽  
Benjamin S. Halpern ◽  
Erich Pacheco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Large Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Ocean Management ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Causal Framework

Some societies have sustainably managed their local marine resources for centuries using traditional methods, but we are only beginning to learn how to do it at larger scales, including globally. A broad, deep and constantly growing body of ocean knowledge has developed, adding many new concepts, perspectives, management models and analytical tools into the knowledge base in a relatively short period. Such rapid growth has created a potentially confusing mash-up of ideas, acronyms, techniques, tools and regulations, demonstrated by recent titles such as, ‘Marine planning: tragedy of the acronyms’ (Ardron 2010), ‘Integrated marine science and management: wading through the morass’ (Elliott 2014), ‘Beyond rhetoric: navigating the conceptual tangle towards effective implementation of the ecosystem approach to oceans management ‘ (Engler 2015) and ‘Marine legislation – the ultimate ‘horrendogram’’ (Boyes and Elliott 2014, undated and 2016).The purpose of this paper is to assist policy makers, marine managers and those considering careers in this area by providing a short history of ocean management, its conceptual foundation, frameworks for modern management and examples of its application at different scales. Extensive literature exists to supplement the summarized information we present.We highlight the following terms as navigational markers through the ‘seascape’1 of marine management rhetoric: sustainability, ecosystem approach, ecosystem-based management, natural capital, ecosystem services, integrated ecosystem assessment, the causal framework DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) and its variants, indicators and reference points, marine area planning, marine spatial management (including decision support tools), adaptive ocean management and dynamic ocean management. We also point out the important roles of marine initiatives such as Blue Economy, the Ocean Health Index, Large Marine Ecosystems, Seascapes, Protected Areas and others. Understanding the similarities, differences, relationships and synergies among these activities increases the likelihood of achieving successful management processes or solutions.Further knowledge and additional methods are still needed to safeguard the human-ocean system and the benefits it provides to people particularly with continued global population growth, but better awareness of what we already know will speed collective progress toward healthier oceans and coastlines. Working toward that goal can also be a uniting force in an increasingly divisive world, because it must necessarily breach political, geographic, economic and other differences.

scholarly journals Capitalizing on nature: how to implement an ecosystem approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Holt ◽  
Caroline Hattam
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Environmental Management ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

The Natural Capital Initiative ( www.naturalcapitalinitiative.org.uk ) held its first conference ‘Valuing our life support systems’ at Savoy Place, London, from 29 April to 1 May 2009. The aim of the conference was to discuss different perspectives on, and solutions to, the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services. It particularly focused on the link between the environment and the economy, and how to implement an ecosystem approach to environmental management. This event brought together scientists across the natural and social sciences, alongside representatives from government, non-governmental organizations, business and industry.

scholarly journals HERMES: Promoting an Ecosystem Approach to the Sustainable Use and Governance of Deep-Water Resources

Oceanography ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Grehan ◽  
Sybille van den Hove ◽  
Claire Armstrong ◽  
Ronan Long ◽  
Thomas van Rensburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Ecosystem Approach

Ecosystem Services

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon C. Braat
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Policy And Planning

The concept of ecosystem services considers the usefulness of nature for human society. The economic importance of nature was described and analyzed in the 18th century, but the term ecosystem services was introduced only in 1981. Since then it has spurred an increasing number of academic publications, international research projects, and policy studies. Now a subject of intense debate in the global scientific community, from the natural to social science domains, it is also used, developed, and customized in policy arenas and considered, if in a still somewhat skeptical and apprehensive way, in the “practice” domain—by nature management agencies, farmers, foresters, and corporate business. This process of bridging evident gaps between ecology and economics, and between nature conservation and economic development, has also been felt in the political arena, including in the United Nations and the European Union (which have placed it at the center of their nature conservation and sustainable use strategies). The concept involves the utilitarian framing of those functions of nature that are used by humans and considered beneficial to society as economic and social services. In this light, for example, the disappearance of biodiversity directly affects ecosystem functions that underpin critical services for human well-being. More generally, the concept can be defined in this manner: Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems, in interaction with contributions from human society, to human well-being. The concept underpins four major discussions: (1) Academic: the ecological versus the economic dimensions of the goods and services that flow from ecosystems to the human economy; the challenge of integrating concepts and models across this paradigmatic divide; (2) Social: the risks versus benefits of bringing the utilitarian argument into political debates about nature conservation (Are ecosystem services good or bad for biodiversity and vice versa?); (3) Policy and planning: how to value the benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services (Will this improve decision-making on topics ranging from poverty alleviation via subsidies to farmers to planning of grey with green infrastructure to combining economic growth with nature conservation?); and (4) Practice: Can revenue come from smart management and sustainable use of ecosystems? Are there markets to be discovered and can businesses be created? How do taxes figure in an ecosystem-based economy? The outcomes of these discussions will both help to shape policy and planning of economies at global, national, and regional scales and contribute to the long-term survival and well-being of humanity.

scholarly journals Science for the sustainable use of ecosystem services

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena M. Bennett ◽  
Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Human Wellbeing ◽  
History Of ◽  
Value Of Nature

Sustainability is a key challenge for humanity in the 21st century. Ecosystem services—the benefits that people derive from nature and natural capital—is a concept often used to help explain human reliance on nature and frame the decisions we make in terms of the ongoing value of nature to human wellbeing. Yet ecosystem service science has not always lived up to the promise of its potential. Despite advances in the scientific literature, ecosystem service science has not yet answered some of the most critical questions posed by decision-makers in the realm of sustainability. Here, we explore the history of ecosystem service science, discuss advances in conceptualization and measurement, and point toward further work needed to improve the use of ecosystem service in decisions about sustainable development.

scholarly journals Reference points and reference directions for size-based indicators of community structure

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Jennings ◽  
Nicholas K. Dulvy
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fishing Impacts

Abstract Size-based community and ecosystem metrics, such as mean body mass and the slopes of size spectra, have been proposed as indicators to support the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). These metrics show relatively consistent responses to size-selective exploitation, and “unexploited” indicator reference points may be predicted with models of size-structured foodwebs. Whereas unexploited reference points provide a baseline for assessing the relative magnitude of fishing impacts, target or limit reference points are needed to guide management. Values for target or limit reference points are difficult to justify on scientific grounds. However, given that fishing impacts in most ecosystems need to be reduced to meet the objectives of the EAFM, we argue that reference directions provide alternative medium-term management targets. We show that the power of surveys to detect trends consistent with reference directions depends on the range of body size classes included in the analysis. Selection of different size ranges will weight metrics to respond to the release of small fish from predation, the depletion of larger individuals as a consequence of exploitation, or both. Such weightings may not be consistent over time, because the differential vulnerability of larger species, within-population changes, predator–prey relationships, and the effects of competition depend on contemporary rates of fishing mortality and the history of exploitation. The power of the surveys investigated is poor on time scales of less than 5–10 years. Therefore, size-based indicators provide better support for medium-term, rather than year-on-year, management decision making.

A New Regime for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Angélique de La Fayette
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Marine Debris ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
National Jurisdiction

AbstractLife on earth, the climate, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat are to a large degree dependent on the health of the oceans and its biodiversity, which supports the global ecosystem. Ocean ecosystems provide essential services, food security and livelihoods to human beings all over the world. Yet, the oceans are currently or potentially threatened by human activities and their consequences, including: overfishing, destructive fishing practices, climate change, pollution from many sources, ocean acidification, habitat destruction, the spread of alien species, mineral exploration and exploitation, ocean dumping, underwater noise, marine debris, carbon sequestration, pipelines and cables, tourism, bioprospecting and marine scientific research. If we are to continue to benefit from the resources and services provided by the oceans, we must take urgent action to counter these threats. Some problems are already being addressed in various international instruments, most of which apply beyond national jurisdiction. However, because of the seriousness of the threats to marine ecosystems, States are considering whether existing measures are sufficient. Furthermore, with the recognition of the need to take an integrated, ecosystem approach to ocean management, some States are calling for an implementing agreement to the UN Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC) to address both the conservation and the sustainable use of marine biological resources beyond national jurisdiction. This paper examines the legal background and urges States to elaborate an implementing agreement to the LOSC to create a new regime for marine biodiversity and genetic resources beyond national jurisdiction.

scholarly journals The Australian government's harvest strategy policy

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 596-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Rayns
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Control Rules ◽  
Stock Biomass ◽  
Implementation Policy ◽  
The Government ◽  
Harvest Strategy ◽  
Management And Conservation ◽  
Target Fishing

Abstract Rayns, N. 2007. The Australian government's harvest strategy policy. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 596–598. In December 2005, the Australian government announced its Implementation Policy for the sustainable use of its fishery resources, specifically aimed at addressing overfishing, recovering overfished stocks, and managing the impacts of fishing on the marine environment. The policy articulates the level of risk the government is willing to accept in utilizing its resources. A key part is setting default target and limit reference points for stock biomass (Btarg and Blim). The policy is currently being expanded to ensure that control rules should always return stocks to Btarg, and that target fishing will cease if Blim is reached. The expanded policy is also intended to link fisheries management and conservation law to define their respective application to fisheries better. Guidelines explain how the policy should be applied, and permit the preparation of fishery-specific harvest strategies that are scheduled to be in place by 1 January 2007.

scholarly journals Advancing ecosystem management strategies for the Gulf of Mexico's fisheries resources: implications for the development of a fishery ecosystem plan

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-640
Author(s):  
Andrea Dell'Apa ◽  
Joshua P Kilborn ◽  
William J Harford
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Large Marine Ecosystems ◽  
The Us

Recent global improvements to fisheries sustainability have been made through the adoption of more holistic management frameworks, such as the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) and ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), and a concurrent transition from a focus on single species or stocks to multispecies and ecosystems. In the US, federal and regional fisheries management encompass multiple layers of comprehensive, ecosystem focused management strategies for living marine resources within its network of large marine ecosystems (LMEs). Here, we provide an overview for the US portion of the Gulf of Mexico large marine ecosystem (GOM-LME) by examining multiple aspects of its fishery management scheme through the lenses of EAFM, EBFM, and the integrated ecosystem assessment (IEA) framework that has been used worldwide to advise, inform, and operationalize ecosystem management. The US-GOM's fishery management and ecosystem community appears to be keeping pace with other US regional efforts. However, more tools like fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs), which are conducive to the effective integration of ecosystem considerations into fishery management processes, are needed to inform and guide the work of regional managers, decision-makers, and stakeholders. Therefore, we propose a structured planning process aimed at advancing the development and implementation of a GOM-FEP, and describe two case studies of EAFM and EBFM applications, respectively, that can help to navigate through our proposed planning process. This work offers strategic guidance and insights to support efforts of regional fishery managers to translate ecosystem management principles, approaches, and objectives into an "action oriented" FEP in the GOM-LME.

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