A Concept and Framework of the Extended Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Assessment Approach Incorporating Other Driving Forces

Heejoong Kang,Chang-Ik Zhang

doi:10.3390/jmse9050545

Abstract

The ecosystem-based fisheries assessment (EBFA) approach to evaluate four management objectives: sustainability, biodiversity, habitat quality, and socio-economic benefits, has been developed in previous studies. The existing EBFA approach is a risk-based assessment framework and was designed to assess the impacts of fisheries on offshore ecosystems. This approach only considers one driving force of wild capture fisheries. However, in coastal ecosystems, there are a number of anthropogenic activities. In this study, we propose an extended EBFA approach that incorporates the effects of capture fisheries and other driving forces, including various human activities and natural processes. This paper focuses on (i) revising the process and equations related to the nested risk indices defined in the existing EBFA approach, and (ii) demonstrating the applicability of the proposed approach by applying it to Uljin coastal waters and comparing the results with the previous case study of the existing EBFA. However, indicators and their relevant reference points have not yet been fully developed—particularly for the tier 1 approach. Hence, further research, especially regarding the reference points, would be required for practical use of the proposed approach.

Highlights

IntroductionThere are major shortcomings in single species management as we can see from the cases of such management, which have led to overfishing in many areas
We investigate what components and characteristics of driving forces are in the ecosystem, what types of fisheries are operating in the ecosystem, and what kinds of fish species are residing and harvested in the ecosystem
An ecosystem-based risk assessment approach incorporating the effects of capture fishery and other driving forces, including various human activities and natural processes, was proposed by revising the previous approach

Summary

Introduction

There are major shortcomings in single species management as we can see from the cases of such management, which have led to overfishing in many areas. Single species management is very limited and by focusing only on sustainability and ignoring habitat quality and ecological interactions [1,2]. The world is striving to maintain the sustainability of marine food resources. The FAO stressed the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) [3]. The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) encouraged the application of an ecosystem-based approach of fisheries by 2010 [4]. The Future We Want, the report released by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), stipulates norms for the conservation of marine ecosystems and the efficient management of fishery resources [5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion