Commentary: It's Time to Transition to “Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management”

Think about all the things involved with planning a fishing trip. Experienced anglers consider many variables–the weather, the tides, moon phases, and water temperature. You don’t just go out and start casting blindly; you consider what to tie on based on the season and what the fish are feeding on. These factors help you decide where and how to fish and increase your chances of being successful. 

That’s what Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) is all about. Just like you consider all the conditions before deciding where to fish, EBFM considers all the different elements of the marine environment. It considers how fish interact with each other and their habitats, and how they are affected by changing water temperatures, water quality, and other environmental indicators. Instead of managing just one fish species, EBFM manages the entire ecosystem, just like you manage all the conditions on your fishing trip to get the best outcome. It’s about understanding the whole picture to keep our fisheries healthy and abundant for everyone. 

We are at a crossroads as anglers and stewards of our planet's vital natural resources. Our decisions today will determine whether our fisheries will remain abundant and resilient for generations. This moment represents a pivotal opportunity to transition from outdated management practices to a more comprehensive approach that accounts for the intricate connections within marine ecosystems, just as a group of savvy anglers would move beyond simply checking the weather forecast to ensure a successful outing. The Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Policy and the draft EBFM Road Map recently released by NOAA Fisheries signal a necessary and timely shift toward recognizing these complexities.

Historically, fisheries management has been guided by a single-species focus, with each fish population being managed in isolation. While this method has had its successes, it fails to consider the complex interconnections within ecosystems and the impact of human activities on these environments—much like an angler who arrives at the wrong tide or location, missing the best opportunities.

On the other hand, EBFM takes a holistic view, acknowledging that many factors, including habitat conditions, predator-prey dynamics, and climate change all influence fish populations. By considering these interactions, EBFM aims to enhance the resilience of fisheries and their ecosystems, ensuring that the broader environmental context informs management decisions, just as a well-prepared angler makes decisions based on a deep understanding of the marine environment.

One of the draft EBFM Road Map's most significant advancements is its emphasis on climate-ready fisheries. Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to marine environments, so our fisheries management strategies must adapt accordingly. Rising ocean temperatures, shifting species distributions, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns all threaten the stability of fish populations and, by extension, the livelihoods of those who depend on them. The draft roadmap's focus on integrating climate-change considerations into fisheries management is a crucial step toward building resilience in the face of these changes. 

While the draft Road Map represents progress, it has shortcomings. The urgency of climate action and the move to climate-ready fisheries must be prioritized in the Road Map. NOAA Fisheries and the regional fishery management councils must work collaboratively to develop policies that anticipate climate impacts and proactively mitigate them—much like anglers must continuously refine their strategies to account for the ever-changing conditions on the water. This includes enhancing the scientific and modeling capabilities needed to predict ecosystem changes and incorporating these predictions into management decisions.

Moreover, the Road Map should address the need for more effective implementation of EBFM principles. Although significant strides have been made in developing more comprehensive and holistic management strategies, these efforts have yet to fully influence management decisions, which often remain entrenched in single-species approaches—like an angler who, despite all the evidence, continues to fish the same spot out of habit, missing out on better opportunities. To truly realize the potential of EBFM, ecosystem considerations must be woven into the fabric of everyday management practices.

Public engagement is critical to refining and strengthening the EBFM Road Map. NOAA Fisheries should improve its communication and engagement with the fishing public and bring stakeholders into the process. Anglers have a wealth of information from years on the water and can significantly contribute to the transition to EBFM management. Contributing to this dialogue is akin to anglers sharing their knowledge and insights with the community to ensure everyone has the best chance of success on the water. This collective effort can help ensure the final Road Map is comprehensive and actionable.

The future of our fisheries hinges on our willingness to embrace change and innovate in the face of emerging challenges. EBFM represents a forward-thinking approach that recognizes the complexities of marine ecosystems and the need for adaptive, resilient management strategies. As we navigate the uncertainties of climate change, EBFM offers a path forward that balances the needs of the environment with those of the people who depend on it. Now is the time to act, advocate, and ensure that our fisheries management practices are sustainable and genuinely resilient for future generations.

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Brian Bennett is an outdoor industry veteran, currently working for the Wild Steelhead Coalition.

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