Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries
Introduction
The objective of this project is to develop and pilot an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), supported by indicators and management tools. Specifically, it involves (i) the development, testing and reporting of indicators that allow managers and stakeholders to assess the status of the ecosystem and the impacts of fishing, and (ii) the development of decision tables that allow managers and stakeholders to see the effects of different management options and to choose among them. The project is focusing on the development of a pilot application of the EAF in the southwest.
Indicators are being developed and piloted for the fishing impacts most likely to compromise UK policy commitments. In practice, this means indicators for vulnerable species (with an emphasis on skates and rays), vulnerable habitats, the fish community and associated ecosystem. The project is seeking to establish the links between these indicators of ecological state and indicators of fishing pressure (effort and mortality), as measured for the main fisheries in the southwest and taking account of environmental variation and change. From knowledge of the links, the project will seek to determine the management actions needed to achieve the desired values of indicators and hence the desired state of vulnerable species, vulnerable habitats, and the fish community. This information will be used to develop decision tables that allow managers and stakeholders to see the consequences of different management options for the fishery, target species, and other parts of the ecosystem.
The project outputs are intended to support the development and assessment of the management systems needed (i) to create a fishing sector that is "managed effectively as an integral part of coherent policies for the marine environment", and (ii) to "promote sustainable fisheries consistent with a diverse and resilient marine environment" (Securing the Benefits & Charting a New Course, 2005).
The results are intended to allow the UK to provide evidence-based scientific advice on the development and application of indicators and the EAF, and will place Defra in a strong position to lead and inform discussion on these issues in national and international fora. The outputs of the research will allow stakeholders to see the effects of different management options and allow managers to make clear and scientifically defensible responses to questions about the application of an EAF, the progress of the UK Government towards meeting policy commitments, and the significance of fishing impacts. Results will also allow Defra to identify and prioritise the issues to address in support of an EAF, to evaluate management options for the fishing industry, and to identify and recommend indicators for reporting on the state of the marine environment. The direction and progress of the project is being guided by a 'User Steering Group'.
