Incorporating the dynamics of marine systems into the stock assessment andmanagement of sablefish

Progress in ecosystem management requires the characterisation of the dynam ics of a species's ecosystem and the influences of climatic oscillations on those dynamics. Within the North Pacific, ecosystem dynamics have been des cribed on decadal-scales (regimes) and have been shown to shift abruptly (r egime shifts). The year class success of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) exh ibit decadal-scale patterns that relate to decadal-scale patterns in North Pacific climate-ocean conditions. As an example, and a step towards, incorp orating the dynamics of marine systems into the stock assessment and manage ment of sablefish, we produce a 'report card' that characterises the specie s's ecosystem on decadal-scales. This report card consists of a matrix of c limatological and oceanographic indices for the North Pacific, and regional environmental and biological indices. It indicates that both Pacific-wide and regionally, conditions were generally good for sablefish year class str ength during the 1977-1988 regime, but these favourable conditions did not persist into the 1990s. Exploitation scenarios can be developed around the decadal-scale dynamics in sablefish year class success and their life histo ry, in particular longevity. Fisheries managers can begin to develop exploi tation strategies that acknowledge these changes in the sablefish ecosystem . The report card presents an aggregation of parameters that, on average, g ives an impression of productivity during a specific regime and can be used to augment present stock assessment and management efforts. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All fights reserved.