Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: Confronting Tradeoffs

Description

Responsible fisheries management is of increasing interest to the scientific community, resource managers, policy makers, stakeholders and the general public. Focusing solely on managing one species of fish stock at a time has become less of a viable option in addressing the problem. Incorporating more holistic considerations into fisheries management by addressing the trade-offs among the range of issues involved, such as ecological principles, legal mandates and the interests of stakeholders, will hopefully challenge and shift the perception that doing ecosystem-based fisheries management is unfeasible. Demonstrating that EBFM is in fact feasible will have widespread impact, both in US and international waters. Using case studies, underlying philosophies and analytical approaches, this book brings together a range of interdisciplinary topics surrounding EBFM and considers these simultaneously, with an aim to provide tools for successful implementation and to further the debate on EBFM, ultimately hoping to foster enhanced living marine resource management.

J. S. Link is currently a senior scientist at the National Marine Fisheries Service in Woods Hole, USA. He has spent a large part of his career in helping to establish the scientific underpinnings for ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) and has received the Fisheries Society of the British Isles Medal for significant advances in fisheries science.

'... a refreshing and fresh book that is easy to read ...Dr Link's largely open-minded and pragmatic approach to EBFM in this book is particularly helpful in terms of guiding and encouraging its application.' Fish and Fisheries 'This volume provides a good overview of a wide range of tools that can be used to evaluate the ecosystem consequences of fishing. Link presents a range of ecosystem concerns, going well beyond trophic interaction to include major environmental shifts impacting productivity ... will provide a good introduction to anyone interested in understanding the history and the state of the science.' Ray Hilborn, The Quarterly Review of Biology