Wendee, it might be helpful to look at the two extreme deviations when considering what ecosystems based fisheries management is (or is not): A "non-ecosystem-economics-based" management system might consist of total reliance on hatchery production, drastic removal of competitor and predator species and a total emphasis on fish in the catch -- even introducing non-native species with more sports or market appeal (such as striped bass on the Pacific Coast or rainbow trout in New Zealand). A "let-nature-take-its-course" approach might consist of a total hands-off, no manipulation system with total preservation (no take) and no human habitat restoration efforts. So, in my view (and based on my experience in trying to do "ecosystem based fish management") anything between these two extremes qualifies. Some of the best ecosystems based fish management is now occurring through riparian restoration and protection, stream re-channelization, water quality and flow enhancement, and reduction of invasive predators and competitors. Of course this is rather simple and straightforward in freshwater and estuary systems; not so simple and easily accomplished in ocean systems. But for many species, particularly anadromous and catadromous species, all our freshwater ecosystem management efforts may be trivial if we don't take better care of our oceans.
(Note that I use the term "fish management" instead of "fisheries management" -- the latter seems to emphasize management for the taking of rather than management for the conservation of. Mr. Hamazaki's anecdote is a good fisheries management example.) Warren W. Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist 9403 SW 74th Ave Tigard, OR 97223 (503) 539-1009 -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Hamazaki, Hamachan (DFG) Sent: Monday, 16 August, 2010 10:55 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] ecosystem based fisheries management Wendee My guess is that we are still struggling with what "ecosystem based fisheries management" really means. In the end, fishery managers want to know the answer to this simple question: "How many fish can we take this year?" (I am asked this all the time.) In single stock fisheries management scheme, we know how to do in theory, such as stock-recruit analysis, etc. Although, it's not perfect, but at least this is based on theory. To answer this simple question in ecosystem base, you have answer, "How many fish is needed to maintain integrity of an ecosystem, so that the fish exceeding the number can be harvested?", and "How can you practically determine the number (i.e., what data do you need, what formula do you use to come up with the number)?" As I feel guilty of conducting single species MSY fishery management, I pose the above questions to anybody who promote ecosystem based fisheries management. But, so far, I haven't gotten definite answers. -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Wendee Holtcamp Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 5:43 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] ecosystem based fisheries management Are there any fisheries in the world that are actually managed using an ecosystem approach versus single-species stock assessment models? I know there's debate over whether the Bering Sea fisheries could become that way. The comprehensive research done there feeds into their regional fishery council's decisions, but I don't think it's truly an ecosystem-based approach in terms of analyzing how many of say Pollock are needed not just to feed people but also to feed the fur seals, the seabirds, etc to prevent ecosystem collapse. But my question is not about the Bering Sea but about whether there is ANY fishery that is actually managed in an ecosystem approach or whether it's still theoretical at this stage? Wendee Blogs for Nature from the Bering Sea ~ http://tinyurl.com/2ctghbl ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wendee Holtcamp, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ @bohemianone Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com <http://www.wendeeholtcamp.com/> http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com <http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com/> ~~ 6-wk Online Writing Course Starts Sep 4 (signup by Aug 28) ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm Animal Planet's news blogger - http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news
