Theory Research And Cases Analysis Of Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management

The overall objective of this thesis is to put forward the scientific theory knowledge and requirements that ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) should have to be own, so that providing the theoretical reference for fisheries scientists and managers to better incorporate ecosystem factor into fisheries management, and finally achieve the sustainability of fisheries and prevent the damage to ecosystem.In order to achieve the above objective, this thesis mainly includes: (1)understanding the ecosystem principles related to ecosystem-based fisheries management; (2)understanding the provisions of legal instruments about the ecosystem approach; (3)mainly researching the correlative content related to ecosystem-based fisheries management,including the definition, overall objective, characters and management methods of fisheries ecosystem management; (4)analysing foreign cases of ecosystem-based fisheries management and researching the implementing feasibility of EBFM in China.This thesis has carried out much research work, including studying the history and current situation of fisheries resources and management models of fishing villages and fisheries industries in Weihai,Zhanjiang,Zhoushan, Xiamen and Guangzhou. At the same time,this thesis has also consulted a great deal of literature, so that holding substantive theoretical foundation and striving to achieve a combination of theory and practice.The research showed that ecosystem-based fisheries management is neither substitute nor contradictory as compared to traditonal single-species management,but a necessary complement and expansion of current fisheries management measures.To be practical,moving toward EBFM must be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.In the first stage,assessment must be focused on the status of the target species and their predators and prey. In the second stage,there needs to take into account environmental impact, the impact of fishing on target species and other impacts in a more direct fashion when determining the status of the target species(e.g.,bycatch, incidental mortality, and effects on habitat). In the third stage , the assessment should explicitly consider environment, target stock, and predators-prey before some management measures are adopted.However,besides the above measures,there are also some other measures,mainly including:First of all,regulatory agencies need to set up implementation process and institutional organizations, so that help to determine all of the objectives and set operational plans;furthermore, regulatory agencies also need to immediately carry out some activities,such as, utilizing models to determine key data gaps as well as ecological processes;Secondly, there also need to carry our vast scientific research, only to carry out necessary research, EBFM just be able to obtain optimal data and management effectiveness.To achieve EBFM social objectives, there also need to implement ecosystem-based management policies,including: (1)Change the burden of proof.; (2)Apply the precautionary approach; (3)Purchase"insurance"; (4)Learn from management experiences; (5)Make local incentives compatible with global goals; (6)Promote participation, fairness and equity.Fisheries management has already made initial progress,evolving from never considered of ecosystem to specifically considers ecosystem of EBFM. However,there are many difficulties and obstacles in the process of moving towards EBFM,including needing a large number of necessary fund and resources. But,the benefit from adopting this method is very specific,including more stable and predictable long-term yield,as well as maintaining the ecosystem goods and services in the future.The limitations of this thesis lies in that:although there has been continued much research about marine ecosystem for many years in the Yellow Sea,Bohai Sea and the East sea of China,and has also proposed directional ideas,which are only the imagine,and there is a long distance from specifically implementing EBFM;foreign cases of EBFM are still at their initial exploratory stage,successful cases are fewer,and are lack of practical management experience,so this thesis only provide theory and initial cases reference for fisheries managers and related decision-makers.