An ecosystem-based approach would do more to help preserve fisheries, experts believe. (Photo: WFE)

Ecosystem-based management approach gains importance

SPAIN
Friday, August 21, 2009, 23:40 (GMT + 9)

Managers and scientists are increasingly aware that preserving the health of the oceans must be done comprehensively. It is not just about maintaining fishing stocks at an optimum health level, but also preserving the ecosystem in which they live. Thus, the ecosystem-based approach is gaining importance in the debates on natural resources.

In the year 2000, the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity defined the Ecosystem-based approach as "the strategy for the comprehensive management of land, aquatic and living resources that fairly promotes preservation and sustainable use." It is all about taking into account the environment and the species therein, as well as every existing activity, aiming to achieve a really effective management system for resources. Nevertheless, its starting up and implementation also involve some problems.

The implementation of the Ecosystem-based approach will be analysed at the first World Summit on Fisheries Sustainability, which will be held at the Parador de Baiona on 15 September.

Pablo Duran, scientist from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) will talk about the development of this approach to fisheries, as well as about the experience of the IEO on seabed mapping and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in deep-sea fisheries in the high-seas.

Katherine Short, Manager of Marine Initiatives at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International, will also analyse the collaboration between NGOs and industry in implementing the Ecosystem-based management in fisheries.

Finally, Poul Degnboul, Scientific Adviser of the European Commission, will explain the practical implementation of the Ecosystem approach in European Union waters. Then, a debate will take place in order to answer any doubt and decide which would be the best way of achieving an effective implementation of this type of management.

The World Summit on Fisheries Sustainability is an initiative of the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Imperial College London. The main objective is to establish a direct and constructive dialogue among the different stakeholders taking part in the management and exploitation of fisheries, in order to define the future guidelines that must drive the fisheries industry towards a sustainable activity from three different points of view: biological sustainability of species, financial sustainability of companies and social sustainability of the communities that make a living from fisheries.

Further information on the Summit at: www.worldfishingexhibition.com

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