Towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries in Europe

Summary

This presentation explores the evolution of fisheries management in Europe, highlighting the shift from traditional single-species approaches to an ecosystem-based approach. It discusses the challenges in balancing environmental, social, and economic objectives, particularly the trade-offs between conservation and fisheries. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and its impact on fisheries management are emphasized, with a focus on achieving long-term sustainability. The role of science in supporting these efforts and the importance of reliable models and evidence are also addressed. Ultimately, the talk outlines the path toward managing marine ecosystems while meeting societal needs and protecting nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Human population densities are high along coastlines, with about one-third of Europe's population living within 50 kilometers of the sea, influencing diverse perspectives on marine environment use and conservation.
• 😀 There has been a longstanding debate in Europe about balancing fisheries use with marine conservation, with fisheries management primarily focusing on exploited fish stocks and conservation as an add-on.
• 😀 Conventional fisheries management has typically followed a pressure-state-response model, where fishing pressure is adjusted to meet targets for fish stock biomass and environmental health.
• 😀 Key assumptions in fisheries management are whether modifying fishing pressure will predictably change the state of the environment and whether regulated behaviors will respond as expected.
• 😀 Europe's shift toward an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management began after the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, integrating environmental, economic, and social sustainability more equitably.
• 😀 One of the main challenges in Europe’s ecosystem approach to fisheries is making operational trade-offs between social, environmental, and economic sustainability, especially when short-term national interests influence decision-making.
• 😀 The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) introduced in 2008 shifted the focus of fisheries management from solely fish stock health to broader environmental concerns, such as biodiversity, food webs, and seafloor integrity.
• 😀 Ecosystem-based management now requires setting environmental targets for a variety of marine components, beyond just commercially exploited fish stocks, with these targets reflecting societal aspirations rather than scientific decisions.
• 😀 While targets for good environmental status are still being defined, the scientific community is making significant strides to provide evidence and advice to help achieve these ecosystem approach objectives.
• 😀 A key challenge for scientists is supporting fisheries management by advising on acceptable trade-offs between fishing and conservation, ensuring that the marine environment provides both ecological protection and economic benefits.
• 😀 Success in moving toward an ecosystem approach depends on achieving targets for exploited fish stocks, defining ambitious environmental targets, ensuring political and social willingness to incur transition costs, and having reliable scientific evidence to support management decisions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the transcript?

The main topic of the transcript is the evolution of fisheries management in Europe, particularly the shift from a traditional, fish stock-focused approach to an ecosystem-based management framework, guided by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

How has the approach to marine conservation and fisheries management evolved in Europe?

The approach has evolved from a focus on managing individual fish stocks to incorporating a broader ecosystem approach. This shift, influenced by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, now includes environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives.

What role did the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) play in fisheries management?

The MSFD, established in 2008, helped integrate broader environmental objectives into fisheries management. It emphasized the importance of biodiversity, food webs, and seafloor integrity, moving beyond just fish stock management to a more comprehensive view of marine health.

What is the primary challenge in moving toward an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries?

The primary challenge is balancing the trade-offs between social, environmental, and economic sustainability. These objectives are often incompatible, and political and societal interests complicate decision-making processes.

How did the traditional fisheries management system work?

The traditional fisheries management system focused on the relationship between fishing pressure, the biomass of fish in the sea, and regulatory responses. The goal was to control fishing mortality to achieve sustainable fish populations based on set targets and reference points.

What were some of the weaknesses of the conventional fisheries management system?

The conventional system often focused solely on exploited fish stocks and treated conservation as a secondary concern. It failed to integrate broader ecosystem impacts and was often driven by short-term political interests rather than long-term sustainability.

What are the key components of the ecosystem-based management approach?

Key components include integrating economic, environmental, and social objectives, prioritizing long-term environmental sustainability, and setting targets for various aspects of the marine environment, such as biodiversity, food webs, and seafloor integrity.

What is the significance of scientific evidence in this new approach to fisheries management?

Scientific evidence plays a crucial role in informing decisions about how to achieve acceptable trade-offs between fishing and conservation. Scientists help provide tools, such as marine spatial plans and technological developments, to manage these trade-offs effectively.

Why is achieving single-species management still important in the ecosystem-based approach?

Single-species management is still important because it serves as the foundational step towards broader ecosystem management. Proper management of individual species helps control fishing mortality, which reduces the need for additional measures as ecosystem health improves.

How does the new approach to fisheries management balance the need for conservation with the demands of the fishing industry?

The new approach aims to balance conservation with the demands of the fishing industry by focusing on long-term sustainability. This involves making tough decisions about short-term costs and trade-offs, but ultimately seeks to provide food, income, and employment while protecting marine ecosystems.