Refining Fisheries Advice With Stock-Specific Ecosystem Information
Date
2021-04-09
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Frontiers Media
Abstract
Although frequently suggested as a goal for ecosystem-based fisheries management,
incorporating ecosystem information into fisheries stock assessments has proven
challenging. The uncertainty of input data, coupled with the structural uncertainty of
complex multi-species models, currently makes the use of absolute values from such
models contentious for short-term single-species fisheries management advice. Here,
we propose a different approach where the standard assessment methodologies can
be enhanced using ecosystem model derived information. Using a case study of the
Irish Sea, we illustrate how stock-specific ecosystem indicators can be used to set
an ecosystem-based fishing mortality reference point (FECO) within the “Pretty Good
Yield” ranges for fishing mortality which form the present precautionary approach
adopted in Europe by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). We
propose that this new target, FECO, can be used to scale fishing mortality down when
the ecosystem conditions for the stock are poor and up when conditions are good.
This approach provides a streamlined quantitative way of incorporating ecosystem
information into catch advice and provides an opportunity to operationalize ecosystem
models and empirical indicators, while retaining the integrity of current assessment
models and the FMSY -based advice process.
Description
Publication history: Accepted - 17 March 2021; Published - 9 April 2021.
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Keywords
strategic advice, ecosystem approach to fisheries management, F ECO, Ecopath with Ecosim, indicators
Citation
Bentley, J.W., Lundy, M.G., Howell, D., Beggs, S.E., Bundy, A., de Castro, F., Fox, C.J., Heymans, J.J., Lynam, C.P., Pedreschi, D., Schuchert, P., Serpetti, N., Woodlock, J. and Reid, D.G. (2021) ‘Refining Fisheries Advice With Stock-Specific Ecosystem Information’, Frontiers in Marine Science. Frontiers Media SA. doi:10.3389/fmars.2021.602072.