Ecosystem-based Management
Definition
There are many definitions of ecosystem-based management. The definition currently used by the Council is:
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“Ecosystem-based fishery management recognizes the physical, biological, economic and social interactions among the affected components of the ecosystem and attempts to manage fisheries to achieve a stipulated spectrum of societal goals, some of which may be in competition.”
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This definition was developed during a panel discussion sponsored by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission in June 2006.
In November 2006 the Council moved to begin development of a fisheries ecosystem plan (FEP) (now called a ecosystem fishery management plan, or EFMP). This was one of the first steps toward the “evolutionary” process of adopting ecosystem-based management.
Currently, however, there is no funding dedicated to this process. If an EFMP is eventually created, it will likely take the form of an umbrella plan that integrates ecosystem considerations across existing FMPs, but does not replace them. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has already taken this approach. The Council Staff White Paper on Ecosystem Management discusses questions, concerns, and steps to be taken in relation to the EFMP.
Below, we offer links to Council and non-Council documents on ecosystem management, and a timeline of ecosystem management decisions taken by the Council. For more information, contact Mike Burner (Mike.Burner@noaa.gov) or Jennifer Gilden (Jennifer.Gilden@noaa.gov).
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Links
Links to Council Documents
Links to Non-Council Sources
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Ecosystem Management Timeline
June 2006
From the Council's June 2006 decision document: “The Council considered the Habitat Committee (HC) recommendation to engage in three elements to advance further consideration of ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) in the context of a similar proposal from the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The Council directed both advisory bodies to pursue elements of EBFM background work, and directed the Chair of the HC to coordinate with the Chair of the SSC Ecosystem Management Subcommittee to accomplish various tasks, avoid duplication in their efforts, and report back to the Council in November. The Council directed the HC to describe actions the Council has already taken that address an EBFM approach and to review other Regional Councils' current ecosystem management plans or planning efforts. The Council directed the SSC to review the current scientific literature on EBFM and consider what scientific underpinnings should be considered as components to any potential EBFM plan.”
November 2006
Joint meeting between HC and SSC Ecosystem Management Subcommittee takes place in Del Mar, California on November 14. Results in “minutes” document.
November 2006
Motion #20: Begin the process of exploring an ecosystem FMP and to use the work already conducted elsewhere along this line to frame how we might approach this FMP. Not saying launch into one, but start the process of what is available, how it would be described, and use the
current committees on how we might explore this. Moved by: Marija Vojkovich. Seconded by: Roger Thomas. Motion 20 passed.
November 2006
From the Council's November 2006 decision document: “The Council reviewed new and existing alternatives for developing fishing regulations to complete proposed marine protected areas within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. As a near term measure, the Council decided to move forward with pursuing marine research reserves under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and California state regulations. As a long term measure, the Council decided to initiate a new Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP). The new FEP is intended to be of an “umbrella” type structure, so as to allow the current four Council FMPs to continue while at the same time enable comprehensive and coordinated fishery regulation in all EEZ ecosystems.”
April 2007
From the Council's April 2007 decision document: “Contingent on new additional funding, the Council passed a motion regarding the next steps in development of an Ecosystem FMP. The motion described seats on a modified plan development team and an initial assignment to provide the Council with a concise statement that includes (1) description of the purpose and need, and (2) a list of goals and objectives of an Ecosystem FMP; the statement is to be consistent with the record of consensus Council dialogue at the April 2007 and November 2006 Council meetings. NMFS also volunteered to provide support and presentations from the NWFSC and SWFSC, as necessary.”
Spring 2007
From the Council newsletter: “At its April meeting, the Council voted to create a plan development team for an ecosystem fishery management plan (FMP), contingent on funding. The team may include members of existing advisory subpanels, management teams, and the Habitat Committee, and be chaired by a member of the Scientific and Statistical Committee. The team's initial assignment is to provide the Council with a statement describing the purpose and need for an ecosystem FMP, and a list of goals and objectives for such an FMP. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) volunteered to provide support and educational presentations about ecosystem management, as necessary.”
The Council first voted to go forward with an ecosystem FMP in November 2006. The
FMP is intended to serve as an "umbrella" plan over the four existing FMPs, helping
with coastwide research planning and policy guidance, and creating a framework for status reports on the health of West Coast ecosystems. The plan envisioned by the Council would not replace the existing FMPs, but would advance fishery management under these FMPs by introducing new theories, new scientific findings, and new authorities to the current Council process.
To help with planning and to facilitate discussion, Council staff drafted a white paper
that looks at issues related to developing an ecosystem FMP. The paper is available online at http://www.pcouncil.org/bb/2007/0407/C5.pdf. The paper discusses phasing in an ecosystem FMP over time, as a strategic planning document.
A programmatic environmental impact statement is proposed to outline this strategic vision. The white paper also discusses the importance of an ecosystem information program based on expertise within NMFS and other research institutions. Funding for developing an ecosystem FMP and convening the plan development team is being sought. The recent reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act calls for a report on the state of the science for advancing the concepts and integration of ecosystem considerations into fishery management, and may open up new funding opportunities. Council members are looking into other funding options, a topic likely to be discussed at the May 2007 Council Coordination Committee meeting in New Orleans.
June 2007
Council develops “Summary of PFMC proposal for developing an ecosystem management plan“ (attached).
September 2007
From the Council's September 2007 decision document: “The Council approved recommendations of the Legislative Committee including:
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Recommending a Council-specific letter to the sponsors of H.R. 21 to emphasize Council efforts to implement ecosystem-based fishery management principles and stress the importance of adequately funding current legislative mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”
April 2008
From the Council's April 2008 decision document: “The Council tasked the Executive Director send a letter to NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Lautenbacher, requesting support and funding of the Council's initiative to implement an Ecosystem Fishery Management Plan which could help meet Council and Sanctuary objectives.”
April 2008
The Council wrote to NOAA requesting funds for an ecosystem management plan (attached). The funds were not granted.
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PFMC
11/20/08
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