Time to focus on the deep sea
FAO hosts symposium on the ecosystem approach to fisheries at the bottom of the high seas
Scientists, managers and policy-makers met in Rome in March to share experiences and approaches to applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).
The three-day event took place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN. The debates can be seen on FAO’s webcast page.
The symposium was organised by the Common Oceans Deep-Sea Fisheries project, in partnership with the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
In 2003, FAO published EAFM technical guidelines to assist and support Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) in their move towards systems and decision-making processes that balance environmental sustainability with human social and economic wellbeing. It followed up in 2008 wth guidelines specifically targeted at seep sea fisheries.
Areas closed to bottom fishing
The application of an ecosystem approach to fisheries in deep seas RFMOs has included closing areas to bottom fishing to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, informed single species and multi-species stock assessment models, and increased efforts to minimize the significant adverse impacts of fishing activities on marine ecosystems.
Significant advances have also been made in ecosystem and climate change modelling to anticipate future challenges in fisheries management.
“Substantial progress has been made by FAO and RFMOs over the past 20 years regarding the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management” said Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General and Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division at FAO.
“Now is the time to focus on the deep sea.”
Threats to high seas
The ABNJ oceans constitute around half the planet surface. Their deep waters, and the biomass contained in them, play a crucial role in regulating the climate and providing food and air for life on the planet. Yet they now face major threats from ocean acidification, warming sea temperatures caused by climate change and loss of biodiversity.
EAFM, by considering all the different human and environmental factors impacting fisheries, provides the most effective approach to sustainably managing our ocean resources.
“ICES is committed to moving forward with ecosystem-based science and advice”, said Com Lordan, Chair of ICES Advisory Committee. “Over the last decade, there have been major steps forward with advice on the impact of fisheries on the ecosystem including advice on bycatch of endangered, threatened, and protected species, vulnerable marine ecosystems, and trade-offs between mobile bottom fishing and benthic communities. We also strive to take account of changes in the ecosystem across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.”
“As scientific advisor to the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), we have been supporting this RFMO on its journey towards EAFM as evidenced by our recent advice that compares and contrasts different EAFM implementation frameworks,” he said.
Scientists and managers together
“There is increasing evidence of both trends and increasing variability in marine ecosystems which need to be accounted for to ensure sustainable seafood production, reversing biodiversity loss and transitioning to a carbon neutral future.”
NAFO, one of the RFMOs concerned with deep-sea fishing also confirmed its commitment to applying the ecosystem management approach.
“NAFO scientists remain at the forefront of the marine science that underpins the practical application of the EAFM and continue to work with managers throughout the EAFM process,” the organisation said.
“This collaboration and communication between scientists and managers, specifically through the NAFO joint working groups, has greatly facilitated the practical application of the NAFO EAFM. NAFO looks forward to exchanging experiences on the implementation of the EAFM.”
A webcast of the symposium can be viewed here.
Information on the Common Ocean’s Programme see here.
Information on the Common Ocean’s Deep Sea Fisheries Project here.