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Fisheries management. 2. The ecosystem approach to fisheries. 2.1 Best practices in ecosystem modelling for informing an ecosystem approach to fisheries












FAO. Fisheries management. 2. The ecosystem approach to fisheries. 2.1 Best practices in ecosystem modelling for informing an ecosystem approach to fisheries. FAO Fisheries Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries. No. 4, Suppl. 2, Add. 1. Rome, FAO. 2008. 78p.


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    Report of the Expert Workshop on the Development and Use of Indicators for an Ecosystem approach to fisheries. Rome, 20-24 April 2009. 2011
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    The Expert Workshop on the development and use of indicators for an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) was held in Rome from 20 to 24 April 2009 under the EAF-Nansen project (Strengthening the Knowledge Base for and Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Marine Fisheries in Developing Countries). It was attended by 13 participants from Africa, Europe, Australia and Oceania, North America and FAO. The main objectives of the expert workshop were to identify suitable indicators for fish eries management, discuss the properties of these indicators, and provide advice on methodologies for the derivation, integration/aggregation and visualization of the indicators. Emphasis was placed on applicability of the derived indicators in developing countries and/or data-poor situations. It was noted that in spite of the abundance of indicators for fisheries management in the scientific literature, there is limited practical guidance as regards their relevance and cost-effectiv eness. In preparation for the expert workshop, three expert reviews were commissioned by FAO to establish what relevant indicators are available for EAF, their properties, and whether/where they have been used. Each review was intended to provide a structured assessment of available indicators for fisheries management classified in accordance with the hierarchical tree framework for identifying major issues in fisheries. For each indicator, an assessment of its properties in relation to data availability, practicality, cost-effectiveness, comprehension, acceptability by stakeholders, and robustness was made. The adopted definition for an Indicator was taken as ¿Something that is measured (not necessarily numerically) and used to track an operational objective¿ and it was noted that any indicator that does not relate to an operational objective is not useful in this context. The participants concluded that the three background papers provided an excellent starting point for an FAO Technical Paper on the development and use of indicators in EAF. A case study of the Tanzanian mixed coastal fishery was used to test whether the list of indicators was flexible enough to cover various situations (data rich/poor, high/low capacity, etc.) and how the trigger and reference points would differ depending on the objectives of each fishery. Using the indicators provided in the three reviews and the Tanzanian case study, the workshop defined a list of prior ity indicators. The workshop was also informed on the IndiSeas (Indicators for the Seas) Programme, a EUR-OCEANS European Network of Excellence working group to gather and share indicator expertise across marine ecosystems and member institutions. Information was also received on a programme on incorporating the human dimension to the ecosystem approach to fisheries, and specifically on indicators for supply elasticity. It was noted that there are several areas where these projects c ould be linked with benefits to parties. The participants agreed on a roadmap for further development and refinement of the derived indicators as inputs for the FAO Technical Paper and to organize a special workshop on indicators for ecosystem surveys using research vessels. It was also agreed to develop a template for reporting on the implementation of EAF for inclusion within the reporting on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF).
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    Models for an ecosystem approach to fisheries. 2007
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    This report reviews the methods available for assessing the impacts of interactions between species and fisheries and their implications for marine fisheries management. A brief description of the various modelling approaches currently in existence is provided, highlighting in particular features of these models which have general relevance to the field of the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). The report concentrates on the currently available models representative of general types such as bionergetic models, predator-prey models and minimally realistic models. Short descriptions are given of model parameters, assumptions and data requirements. Some of the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of each of the approaches in addressing questions pertaining to EAF are discussed. The report concludes with some recommendations for moving forward in the development of multi-species and ecosystem models and for the prudent use of the currently available models as tools for provision of scientific information on fisheries in an ecosystem context.

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