Holistic Approach to Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: Linking Biological Hierarchies for Sustainable Fishing

This book provides a novel approach to fisheries management by focusing on ecosystem dynamics and the development of ecosystem-holistic indicators. It discusses the concepts of surplus production, balanced harvests, adaptability, and applies them to six study cases involving different ecosystems and fisheries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book offers groundbreaking scientific insights and innovative concepts on an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. It begins by examining the scientific foundations and challenges faced by conventional fisheries science, which is rooted in population dynamics. Subsequently, it delves into the theoretical underpinnings of ecosystem dynamics, encompassing selected ecosystem indicators. The discussion revolves around surplus production and achieving balanced harvests within the context of ecosystem dynamics. Several ecosystem-holistic indicators are introduced, with particular emphasis on two key metrics: the noxicline (gain in entropy due to biomass loss) and resilience, which serve as ecosystem-wide points of reference for setting sustainable harvest rates. Both biological (population) and ecosystem (holistic) perspectives are analyzed in the realm of fisheries management and conservation. Additionally, an adaptability concept is explored as a management strategy to address the impacts of climate change. Finally, the concepts presented are applied to six case studies encompassing diverse ecosystems and fisheries, providing practical illustrations of their implementation.

Introduction:
The conventional fisheries science, which has been the dominant approach to managing fish populations for decades, faces several challenges. These challenges stem from the fact that fisheries are complex systems influenced by multiple factors, including population dynamics, environmental conditions, and social and economic factors. As a result, traditional fisheries management strategies often fail to achieve sustainable yields and can lead to the depletion of fish stocks, habitat destruction, and negative impacts on marine ecosystems.

Ecosystem-Based Approach to Fisheries Management:
In response to these challenges, an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management has emerged as a promising alternative. This approach recognizes that fisheries are part of larger ecosystems, and it aims to manage fish populations in a way that promotes the health and sustainability of the entire ecosystem. The ecosystem-based approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interactions between fish populations, their habitats, and other marine organisms. It also recognizes the role of environmental factors, such as water quality, temperature, and nutrient levels, in shaping fish populations and their habitats.

Scientific Fundamentals and Problems Faced by Conventional Fisheries Science:
The ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management begins by reviewing the scientific fundamentals and problems currently faced by conventional fisheries science. This review highlights the limitations of traditional approaches, which often focus solely on population dynamics and ignore the broader ecological context. It also identifies the key challenges that conventional fisheries science faces, such as overfishing, bycatch, and habitat destruction.

Theoretical Basis of Ecosystem Dynamics:
To address these challenges, the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management requires a deeper understanding of the theoretical basis of ecosystem dynamics. This includes exploring the concepts of population dynamics, food webs, and ecosystem indicators. Population dynamics refers to the study of the growth and distribution of fish populations, while food webs describe the complex relationships between different species in an ecosystem. Ecosystem indicators are used to measure the health and status of an ecosystem, and they include metrics such as biomass, productivity, and biodiversity.

Surplus Production and Balanced Harvests:
In the ecosystem dynamics context, surplus production and balanced harvests are discussed as key objectives of fisheries management. Surplus production refers to the production of fish that exceeds the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, while balanced harvests aim to maintain the long-term health and productivity of the ecosystem. Achieving these objectives requires a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of fish populations, their habitats, and the interactions between different species in the ecosystem.

Ecosystem-Holistic Indicators:
Several ecosystem-holistic indicators are described in the book to measure the health and status of ecosystems. These indicators include the noxicline, which measures the gain in entropy due to the loss of biomass, and resilience, which measures the ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances and maintain its structure and function. These indicators provide a holistic view of the health of an ecosystem and can be used to set sustainable harvest rates.

Biological and Ecosystem Points of Reference:
Both biological (population) and ecosystem (holistic) points of reference are subsequently analyzed in the context of fisheries management and conservation. The biological point of reference focuses on the individual fish populations and their dynamics, while the ecosystem point of reference considers the broader ecological context. The analysis of these points of reference helps to identify the trade-offs and synergies between different management strategies and to ensure that the conservation of fish populations is not compromised by other ecosystem services.

Adaptability Concept as a Management Policy for Climate Change:
An adaptability concept is also discussed as a management policy for facing climate change. Climate change is a significant threat to marine ecosystems, and it is expected to have significant impacts on fish populations and their habitats. The adaptability concept emphasizes the need to develop flexible management strategies that can adapt to changing environmental conditions and to ensure that fisheries are resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Case Studies:
In closing, the concepts presented in the book are applied to six study cases involving a range of different ecosystems and fisheries. These case studies provide practical illustrations of the application of the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management and conservation. The cases cover a wide range of ecosystems, including coastal ecosystems, coral reefs, kelp forests, and estuaries. They also involve a range of fisheries, including commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries, and artisanal fisheries.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers groundbreaking scientific insights and innovative concepts on an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the scientific foundations and challenges faced by conventional fisheries science, and it offers a promising alternative to address these challenges. The ecosystem-based approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interactions between fish populations, their habitats, and other marine organisms, and it recognizes the role of environmental factors in shaping fish populations and their habitats. By applying the concepts presented in this book, fisheries managers can develop more sustainable and effective management strategies that promote the long-term health and productivity of marine ecosystems.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030968465
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022