Aquaculture development 5 Suppl. 4 Ecosystem approach to aquaculture

FAO TECHNICAL GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES
5 Suppl. 4

AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT

4. Ecosystem approach to aquaculture

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2010

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ISBN 978-92-5-106650-8
ISSN 1020-5292

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© FAO 2010

FAO. Aquaculture development. 4. Ecosystem approach to aquaculture.
FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries. No. 5, Suppl. 4.
Rome, FAO. 2010. 53p.

ABSTRACT

Social and biophysical dimensions of ecosystems are inextricably related
such that a change in one dimension is highly likely to generate a change
in the other. Although change is a natural consequence of complex
interactions, it must be monitored and even managed if the rate and
direction of change threatens to undermine system resilience.

“An ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) is a strategy for the integration of the activity within the wider ecosystem such that it promotes sustainable development, equity, and resilience of interlinked social-ecological systems.”

Being a strategy, the ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) is not what is done but rather how it is done. The participation of stakeholders is at the base of the strategy.

Implementing the EAA will require strengthening institutions and associated management systems so that an integrated approach to aquaculture development can be implemented and account fully for the needs and impacts of other sectors. The key will be to develop institutions capable of integration, especially in terms of agreed upon objectives and standards.

The widespread adoption of an EAA will require a much tighter coupling of science, policy and management. It will also require that governments include the EAA in their aquaculture development policies, strategies and development plans.

Contents

PART 1 (Download 1.4Mb)

Preparation of this document 
Abstract
Abbreviations and acronyms
Background

PART 2 (Download 346 kb)

1  INTRODUCTION
1.1   The ecosystem approach to aquaculture
1.2   Aim
1.3   Key principles

2  THE EAA IN PRACTICE: PREPARATION AND INITIATION
2.1   Where does EAA fit in typical aquaculture development planning process
        and when should it start?
2.2   Scoping
2.3   Stakeholder and issues identification analysis
2.4   Prioritization of issues

3  IMPLEMENTING THE EAA: THE PLAN
3.1   Minimum requirements to support the implementation of the EAA
3.2   Management measures to deal with environmental and social issues
3.3   Incentives
3.4   Standards for application
3.5   Indicators and monitoring impacts
3.6   Tools in support of the approach

4.  MONITORING AND EVALUATION

5.  FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

REFERENCES

APPENDIX