Fluctuating fishing intensities and climate dynamics reorganize the Gulf of Mexico's fisheries resources

Joshua P Kilborn,David L Jones,Michael Drexler

doi:10.1002/ecs2.2487

Abstract

Fluctuating fishing intensities and climate dynamics reorganize the Gulf of Mexico's fisheries resources

Highlights

Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) is a flexible process that considers the associations among species inhabiting an ecosystem and their responses to the diverse suite of varying environmental and anthropogenic influences that limit and control their populations
The Ecological Society of America viewed ecosystem-based management (EBM) in broader terms, and they advocated for the inclusion of (1) measurable goals to achieve sustainability, (2) ecological models to improve understanding of the system, (3) emphasis on connectivity among constituents of the ecosystem, (4) recognition of the dynamic nature of the system, (5) consideration of context and scale when applying management needs to a specific system, (6) humans as components of the ecosystem, (7) management adaptability over time, and (8) accountability to ensure progress (Christensen et al 1996)
The EL-MIST framework The EL-MIST protocol is defined by five steps that can be used to inform all phases of the Integrated ecosystem assessment (IEA) loop (Fig. 1), and it can complement long-term monitoring programs by providing a comprehensive assessment of the historical dynamics of all management indicators undertaken by the monitoring effort

Summary

Introduction

Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) is a flexible process that considers the associations among species inhabiting an ecosystem and their responses to the diverse suite of varying environmental and anthropogenic influences that limit and control their populations. EBFM was initially defined by a set of three essential goals: (1) sustainable yield of products for human consumption and animal foods, (2) maintenance of biodiversity, and (3) protection from the effects of pollution and habitat degradation (Larkin 1996). In U.S fisheries, the incorporation of EBFM into decision-making is strongly advocated for, with the aim of improving the ability to protect, restore, and sustain living marine resources while balancing the competing interests of multiple stakeholders (Link 2016). With the more inclusive working definition for EBFM, and with invigorated focus by government and regulatory agencies, researchers’, managers’, and stakeholders’ efforts have shifted toward implementation (Link 2005).

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