Symposium Summary: The Habitat Science Needed for Effective Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM)

Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) is a comprehensive approach to the management of fisheries sector living marine resources. Inclusive in EBFM is the requirement of managers to consider the complex interactions between fishes and their dependent habitats, and the effects of fishing upon habitat and fish stocks. The session began with an overview of NOAA Fisheries’ habitat science efforts, and the successful incorporation of these findings into stock assessments and marine fisheries management. Continuing presentations highlighted habitat use of coastal sharks, impacts of environmental factors on brown shrimp production, and migration patterns of estuarine-dependent commercial fishes. Additional presentations highlighted the importance of inshore and offshore habitats to Black Sea Bass production, and described the importance of ecological factors (including echinoderm population structure) in the implementation of EBFM. The session closed with presentations on habitat use by Beaufort Sea, Brazilian coral reef, and Florida freshwater fishes, and ecosystem modeling for improved management of Pacific anadromous species. The findings featured in this symposium provide information to resource managers allowing for better-informed decisions in the management of habitats and their dependent fisheries resources. Although advances have occurred, continued and increased investment in habitat science is necessary to address increasing demands and impacts on marine and freshwater habitats. Improved knowledge about the association of fishery species and their habitats is essential for habitat conservation and this information is key for enhancing broader EBFM efforts. — Anthony Marshak, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, [email protected] Read the symposium abstracts here.