The performance of fisheries management systems and the ecosystem challenge.

Abstract

This Chapter has three objectives. First, it presents a modest update of the evidence used in the 1997 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that attempted to show which management measures are effective in conserving marine fisheries and producing significant economic and social benefits. In its original report, the OECD found that competitive total allowable catch (TAC) management results in a race-to-fish, with all its attendant effects; and that individual fishing quotas are an effective means of controlling exploitation, of mitigating the race-to-fish, of generating resource rent and increased profits, and of reducing the number of participants in a fishery. In addition, the OECD evidence indicated that time and area closures have not been effective in ensuring resource conservation, though conservation might well have been poorer without them. The update indicates that most of the original results are upheld. The second objective is to report on recent trends in policy since 1995, with a focus on ecosystem-based management policies. These include large marine ecosystem (LME) programmes, marine protected areas (MPAs) and the development of alternative rights-based regimes. Thirdly, the chapter examines the governance challenges of ecosystem-based fisheries management. We argue that the political marketplace that produces fisheries management policies tends to be biased against conservation and long-term economic benefits. The chapter concludes with recommendations for reforming our fishery governance institutions.

Identifying common pressure pathways from a complex network of human activities to support ecosystem‐based management

“…First, management measures can be combined into fewer and more simplified measures, leading to greater compliance (Tallberg 2002). Second, assuming the measure itself is well designed and is linked to clear and realistic targets, the likelihood of success will increase and the cost of enforcement will decrease (Sutinen and Soboil 2003). However, as shown here, the number of potential impact chains is great and it is unlikely that all impacts can be managed.…”

Using ecological indicators in the context of an ecosystem approach to fisheries for data-limited fisheries

“…Further, considering the expansion of stakeholders and the increased knowledge requirements under EAF, Sutinen and Soboil (2003) conclude that an EAF will tend to increase the chances of governance failure. Faced with these challenges and given the need for partnership and co-management, effective information management and harmonization of objectives and regulations are indeed a sine qua non in an EAF (Garcia and Cochrane, 2005).…”

Where not to fish – reviewing and mapping fisheries restricted areas in the Aegean Sea

“…Indeed, since the mid-1990s, the concept of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management was highlighted in fisheries management literature (FAO, 1995;Christensen et al, 1996;Pitcher & Pauly, 1998;Sinclair et al, 2002;FAO, 2003;Garcia, 2003;Sutinen & Soboil, 2003;Garcia & Cochrane, 2005). Also, in the early 2000s, the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU was reformed 7 , since it was realized that the measures introduced so far, were not sufficiently effective to halt overfishing, and thus the depletion of many fish stocks continued at an increasingly faster pace.…”