defined, including a set of ecosystem indicators. The models used are complex and
data demanding. The main problem is that there are few data series to evaluate the
ecosystem variations, although recently in regions as Europe environmental and
ecosystems data series are available in some countries and fisheries. EBM includes
integrated management of multispecies fisheries and other ocean uses, within a
geographic context incorporating a set of ecosystem and conservation objectives
that is presently the case for most fisheries management plans.
Initiatives such as the 2001 Reykjavik Conference on Responsible Fisheries in
the Ecosystem increased the establishment of new information technology and
systems which offer integrated ecosystem assessment. RFO builds on their strengths
and successes and begins work on a mutually beneficial framework for cooperation.
In the case of the fisheries sector, the objectives would ensure the sustainability of
ecosystem features as well as the target species. It is the human activities that are
being managed, not the ecosystem.
EBM is relatively a new concept also to the GFCM region. Scientists participating at the meeting of the Subcommittee on the Environment of the Scientific
Advisory Committee (SAC) of the GFCM, celebrated in 2002, pointed out that the
need to discuss this concept with other international organizations was
recommended to create a transversal working group or to organize, jointly with
RAC/SPA and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) secretariat, a workshop to
discuss methodological aspects and scientific initiatives for its introduction in the
Mediterranean. Subsequently, Commission (FAO 2002) emphasis was on enhancing
the capacity to formulate management advice in conformance with an Ecosystem
Approach to Fisheries. In order to implement such mandate, the SAC adopted the
organization of an “ad hoc” meeting to analyze the feasibility of the ecosystem-based
management approach to fisheries in Mediterranean waters, particularly to examine
the existing and applicable ecosystem-based methodologies, to assess and monitor
Mediterranean fisheries (mainly those which are shared by two or more countries),
and to discuss possible ecosystem-based management tools.
In 2003, FAO advanced in the definition of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries
(EAF) a step ahead to incorporate definitively the ecosystem in fisheries management. But, what is an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management? FAO
explained this concept as follows: “The purpose of an EAF is to plan, develop and
manage fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiplicity of societal needs and
desires, without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from a full
range of goods and services provided by marine ecosystems” (FAO 2003a). This
definition and the report of the Reykjavik meeting in 2002 (FAO 2003a) aimed to
draft guidelines for an EAF (FAO 2003b) including main principles and concepts.
The interest in the implementation of an EAF has been motivated by heightened
awareness of the importance of interactions among fishery resources and with the
ecosystems and the advances in science, which highlight knowledge and uncertainties about the functional value of the ecosystems to humans (i.e., the goods and
services provided by the ecosystems).
810
L. Valdés et al.
data demanding. The main problem is that there are few data series to evaluate the
ecosystem variations, although recently in regions as Europe environmental and
ecosystems data series are available in some countries and fisheries. EBM includes
integrated management of multispecies fisheries and other ocean uses, within a
geographic context incorporating a set of ecosystem and conservation objectives
that is presently the case for most fisheries management plans.
Initiatives such as the 2001 Reykjavik Conference on Responsible Fisheries in
the Ecosystem increased the establishment of new information technology and
systems which offer integrated ecosystem assessment. RFO builds on their strengths
and successes and begins work on a mutually beneficial framework for cooperation.
In the case of the fisheries sector, the objectives would ensure the sustainability of
ecosystem features as well as the target species. It is the human activities that are
being managed, not the ecosystem.
EBM is relatively a new concept also to the GFCM region. Scientists participating at the meeting of the Subcommittee on the Environment of the Scientific
Advisory Committee (SAC) of the GFCM, celebrated in 2002, pointed out that the
need to discuss this concept with other international organizations was
recommended to create a transversal working group or to organize, jointly with
RAC/SPA and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) secretariat, a workshop to
discuss methodological aspects and scientific initiatives for its introduction in the
Mediterranean. Subsequently, Commission (FAO 2002) emphasis was on enhancing
the capacity to formulate management advice in conformance with an Ecosystem
Approach to Fisheries. In order to implement such mandate, the SAC adopted the
organization of an “ad hoc” meeting to analyze the feasibility of the ecosystem-based
management approach to fisheries in Mediterranean waters, particularly to examine
the existing and applicable ecosystem-based methodologies, to assess and monitor
Mediterranean fisheries (mainly those which are shared by two or more countries),
and to discuss possible ecosystem-based management tools.
In 2003, FAO advanced in the definition of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries
(EAF) a step ahead to incorporate definitively the ecosystem in fisheries management. But, what is an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management? FAO
explained this concept as follows: “The purpose of an EAF is to plan, develop and
manage fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiplicity of societal needs and
desires, without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from a full
range of goods and services provided by marine ecosystems” (FAO 2003a). This
definition and the report of the Reykjavik meeting in 2002 (FAO 2003a) aimed to
draft guidelines for an EAF (FAO 2003b) including main principles and concepts.
The interest in the implementation of an EAF has been motivated by heightened
awareness of the importance of interactions among fishery resources and with the
ecosystems and the advances in science, which highlight knowledge and uncertainties about the functional value of the ecosystems to humans (i.e., the goods and
services provided by the ecosystems).
810
L. Valdés et al.