Ecosystem-based Management of Fisheries: Opportunities and Challenges for Coordination Between Marine Regional Fishery Bodies and Regional Seas Conventions
- ISBN-10
- 9280721054
- ISBN-13
- 9789280721058
- Pages
- 52
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2001
- Publisher
- UNEP
- Author
- United Nations Environment Programme
Description
The ecosystem approach to the management of oceans and their resources was consolidated in Agenda 21. Practical application of this approach is still in early stages of development by regional organizations for fisheries, and for the marine and coastal environment. This publication contains a brief description of marine Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) and the Regional Seas Conventions (RSCs) noting the origins, status, geographic coverage and basis for consideration of the ecosystem approach by each. This publication reviews the relationship and mutual relevance of the work carried out by RFBs and RSCs, especially in areas relating to biodiversity of species, habitat, marine environment quality, climate change, land-based pollution of the marine environment, and in the monitoring and assessment which applies to these areas. It is suggested that as ecosystem considerations and indicator frameworks are increasingly factored into fisheries management, the functionalities of RFBs and RSCs will need to be adapted in a practical, cost effective way to meet future needs. Concrete suggestions are made for options that may lead to enhanced cooperation on ecosystem-based fishery management.
