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 the ecosystem-based approach. It discusses the scientific fundamentals and problems of conventional fisheries science, reviews the theoretical basis of ecosystem dynamics, and introduces ecosystem-holistic indicators for defining allowable harvest rates. The adaptability concept is also discussed as a management policy for climate change. The concepts are applied to six study cases involving different ecosystems and fisheries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2023
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.

This book provides cutting-edge scientific ideas and novel concepts on the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. It begins by reviewing the scientific fundamentals and problems currently faced by conventional fisheries science, based on population dynamics. In turn, it reviews the theoretical basis of ecosystem dynamics, including selected ecosystem indicators. Surplus production and balanced harvests are discussed in the ecosystem dynamics context. Several ecosystem-holistic indicators are described, but particular emphasis is placed on two: the noxicline (gain in entropy due to loss of biomass) and resilience, which are expressed as ecosystem (holistic) points of reference for defining allowable harvest rates. Both biological (population) and ecosystem (holistic) points of reference are subsequently analyzed in the context of fisheries management and conservation. An adaptability concept is also discussed as a management policy for facing climate change. In closing, the concepts presented are applied to six study cases involving a range of different ecosystems and fisheries.

Weight: 291g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030968496
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022