Traditional species-specific fisheries management is gradually shifting towards a more holistic approach that considers the wider impacts of fishing and interactions with other species, habitats and ecosystems. These aspects all fall within the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM).

The EAFM study

ABPmer was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to provide a high-level review of the current understanding and implementation of EAFM and determine what best practice could look like through the review of ten global case studies.

The objectives of the study were to:

• Increase understanding of where and how ecosystem approaches are being utilised in fisheries management globally
• Explore what has and has not worked, to produce best practice recommendations that could help to guide effective implementation of the three GBF sustainable biodiversity management targets

Our report provides a review of the current understanding of EAFM and the extent to which it is being implemented globally, in line with Target 5 of the GBF. A range of case studies were identified that demonstrate how the common principles of EAFM are being delivered using best practice methods.

Methodology

A literature review on the application of ecosystem approaches to fisheries management identified the definition and principles for what classifies as an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, how it is being measured/assessed, and whether there is sufficient information available to determine the extent of global progress towards EAFM, with specific consideration to achieving Target 5.

A survey on the use of EAFM in fisheries globally was distributed to CBD National Focal Points for Marine and Coastal Biodiversity, members of the Global Ocean Alliance (GOA) and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO). This was designed to explore current definitions of EAFM, which aspects of EAFM are addressed through fisheries management in each country or region, any barriers to implementation, and to identify examples of fisheries where EAFM is well developed. The literature review and survey contributed to the identification of ten case studies that reviewed how EAFM has been implemented internationally.

Report documents

• Final report: Applying the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
• Summary report: Applying the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management

ABPmer supports policy-makers, regulators and the fisheries and aquaculture industry on marine environmental policy matters, assessment and management, including interactions between fisheries, marine protected areas (MPAs) and other marine developments.

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