Abstract
AbstractSince “balanced harvest” was proposed in 2010 as a possible tool in the operationalization of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), the concept gained extensive international attention. Because maintaining ecosystem structure and achieving maximum sustainable yields have become two of the key international legal obligations in fisheries management, balanced harvest is as topical as ever. An international workshop on balanced harvest, organized by the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group at FAO headquarters in 2014, reviewed the progress in the field and discussed its prospects and challenges. Several articles in this theme set, mostly based on presentations from the workshop, discuss ecological, economical, legal, social, and operational issues surrounding the key management goals. Progress is being made on understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of balanced harvest and its practical feasibility. Yet, a basic debate on the concept of balanced harvest continues. To move the EAF forward, we anticipate and encourage further research and discussion on balanced harvest and similar ideas.
Highlights
IntroductionSince “balanced harvest” was proposed in 2010 as a possible tool in the operationalization of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), the concept gained extensive international attention
Introduction to the ThemedSection: ‘Balanced harvest and the ecosystem approach to fisheries’
The expected benefits of Balanced harvesting (BH) vs. conventionally selective fishing can be evaluated indirectly by describing the actual fishing patterns and pressures on various components of the ecosystem in relation to their productivity, as done by Kolding et al (2016). Such analyses of existing fishery systems, already recommended at the first BH meeting in 2010, could clarify to what extent current fishing and management practices deviate from the Ecosystem Approach (EA) requirement to maintain ecosystem structure and function, and promote a concrete suggestion on ways to better comply
Summary
Since “balanced harvest” was proposed in 2010 as a possible tool in the operationalization of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), the concept gained extensive international attention. Because maintaining ecosystem structure and achieving maximum sustainable yields have become two of the key international legal obligations in fisheries management, balanced harvest is as topical as ever. An international workshop on balanced harvest, organized by the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group at FAO headquarters in 2014, reviewed the progress in the field and discussed its prospects and challenges. Several articles in this theme set, mostly based on presentations from the workshop, discuss ecological, economical, legal, social, and operational issues surrounding the key management goals. To move the EAF forward, we anticipate and encourage further research and discussion on balanced harvest and similar ideas.
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