Symposium overview: incorporating ecosystem objectives within fisheries management

Following an introduction to the broader context of the Symposium, the scor e of the oral presentations is summarized under three themes: a global synt hesis of fisheries impacts in different ecosystems; an overview of the meth ods available for quantifying ecosystem impacts; and the integration of fis heries and environmental management. The presentations generated substantia l evidence that marine ecosystems have been impacted by fishing. Also there appeared to be a broad consensus that the present approach to achieving co nservation objectives of fisheries management does not sufficiently take in to account ecosystem considerations. There was not, however, a consensus on what additional restrictions are required, or on what features of ecosyste ms need to be protected. A way forward is to add ecosystem objectives to th e conservation component of fisheries management plans, as well as to the m anagement plans for other ocean-use setters. The aggregate ocean-use activi ties would need to be evaluated in a nested manner, at a range of geographi c scares. in relation to the more broadly defined conservation objectives. It is suggested that the geographic scales for evaluation of ecosystem cons iderations could be defined in a pragmatic manner based on the somewhat art ificial boundaries of political and administrative systems already in place . The six conservation objectives proposed are maintenance of (1) ecosystem diversity, (2) species diversity, (3) genetic variability within species, (4) directly impacted species, (5) ecologically dependent species. and (6) trophic level balance. Indicators for each objective are discussed, as well as reference points that would trigger management actions. Such a broadeni ng of conservation objectives for fisheries management would require both e nhanced monitoring and a greater workload added to the process of provision of scientific advice through peer review. Of equal importance would be the challenges of establishing a governance framework to address multiple uses of marine resources. The spirit of the Symposium was that these coupled sc ientific and governance challenges will be very stimulating. (C) 2000 Inter national Council for the Exploration of the Sea.