Operationalizing triple bottom line harvest strategies

Abstract

Over the past 50 years, the diversity of fisheries types being actively managed has changed from mainly data-rich, industrial sectors to more socially, economically, and environmentally complex multispecies and multisector fisheries. Accompanying this change has been a broadening of management objectives to include social and economic considerations with traditional resource sustainability objectives, the so-called triple bottom line, and the need to include these considerations into harvest strategies. The case of a line fishery in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is used as a demonstration of the first steps in implementing triple bottom line harvest strategies. This fishery has several disparate sectors including commercial, tourism, and recreation; targets multiple but important reef species; and is undertaken in a World Heritage Site. This work highlights the need for a much-expanded set of objectives elicited from stakeholders that are either included in the trade-off analyses of the different harvest strategies or directly in an optimization. Both options demonstrated that a paradigm shift is required to emphasize representative participatory management systems that assemble teams from quite different backgrounds and viewpoints; use much broader set of objectives; and modify tools and (especially) the data collected within revised monitoring programmes to underpin these tools.

Retraction notice to ‘Key research priorities for the future of fish and fisheries in Australia’ [Pacific Conservation Biology (2022) doi:10.1071/PC21073]

“…social, ecological and economic objectives) and recognising the issues that face all fishing interests (e.g. commercial, recreational, charter, conservation and traditional fishing) (Brownscombe et al 2019;Dichmont et al 2020). Underlying these complex challenges are the inherent complications associated with working at the political interface, and how alternative arrangements such as nonregulatory, co-management frameworks and harvest strategies can be used to generate better outcomes (Nursey-Bray et al 2018).…”

Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems

“…Stahel 2016 ; Kirchherr et al 2017 ) Greater emphasis on environmental impacts in triple-bottom-line accounting, in conjunction with financial mechanisms, to support and rebuild marine ecosystems (e.g. Bos et al 2015 ; Dichmont et al 2020 ) Capacity-building in under-resourced communities decreases regional inequalities in development and implementation of integrated spatial management (Alvarez-Romero et al 2018 ; IOC-UNESCO 2017 ) Improved ecological monitoring and forecasting, and the transfer of such information, both of which enable more proactive, flexible, and adaptive management (e.g. Pendleton et al 2020 ) Improved monitoring, evaluation and adaptation of management strategies and plans (Ehler 2014 ; IOC-UNESCO 2017 ) Negotiations for a new UN BBNJ treaty have proceeded slowly (noting the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the scheduling of conferences of the parties and intersessional activities) but seem increasingly likely to result in legally binding conservation obligations, and important States have indicated that they intend to ratify the treaty.…”

“…Greater emphasis on environmental impacts in triple-bottom-line accounting, in conjunction with financial mechanisms, to support and rebuild marine ecosystems (e.g. Bos et al 2015 ; Dichmont et al 2020 )…”

Indirect Impacts of COVID-19 on a Tropical Lobster Fishery’s Harvest Strategy and Supply Chain

“…Many small-scale fisheries lack the capacity to mitigate global market forces and more international solutions are needed, such as development of insurance opportunities by international financial institutions (Knight et al, 2020). There has been an increase in the appreciation of the need to adopt triple bottom line approaches to fisheries management (Plagányi et al, 2013;Dichmont et al, 2020) but much more work is needed to ensure that supply chains are adaptable enough to ensure that the outlets for seafood products are maintained in the future. This is vital not only for economic stability, but also the livelihood and mental health of fishers, their socio-cultural wellbeing, and food and nutrition security globally (Hicks et al, 2019).…”