1. Science requirements for implementing EBM Rob Stephenson DFO, St. Andrews Biological Station

2. St. Andrews Biological Station Fisheries and Oceans Canada Pêches et Océans Canada St. Andrews Biological Station Station biologique de St. Andrews La Station biologique de St. Andrews

3. Ecosystem Based Management ‘EBM is the management of human activities to ensure that marine ecosystems, their structure (e.g. biological diversity), function (e.g. productivity) and overall environmental quality (e.g. water and habitat quality) are not compromised and are maintained at appropriate temporal and spatial scales.’ DFO 2005 Fs23-494-2006E

4. Challenge of Science #1 Choose between the two views of science required for an ecosystem-based approach: 1.Describe, study and understand the ecosystem 2.Modify science in support of management to include a broader suite of ecosystem considerations Product: a practical approach to defining the science required for an Ecosystem- Based Approach

5. Science in support of management decisions FisheriesAquacultureEnergyTransport Conservation - Productivity - Biodiversity - Habitat Economic Social Managed activities Objectives/strategies Plans with diverse objectives Cumulative impacts across activities Ecoregion (with nested plans) Audit of cumulative performance

6. Challenge of Science #2 Better articulation of conservation objectives (and strategies) –Together with relevant performance indicators and reference points –Common (if possible) across all activities Product: Consensus on what needs to be monitored

7. Changes in Conservation Objectives Productivity –Primary Productivity –Community Productivity –Population Productivity Biodiversity –Species Diversity –Population Diversity Habitat –Population Productivity –Population Diversity

8. Fisheries – strategies/indicators Gavaris et al 2005

9. Challenge of Science #2b Resolve the issue of ‘contextual indicators’ –If all conservation objectives are articulated, and if there are performance indicators for each…are there any additional properties of the ecosystem or overall indicators of ecosystem health (or change) that need to be monitored? –How would these be used in management?

10. Science Decision Support reference state Indicator Decision on suitable reference point –How the system dynamics influence the way we manage

11. Challenge of Science #3 Develop methods of determining cumulative effects –Consider the impacts of all fisheries, plus aquaculture, plus other managed activities against conservation objectives Product: Ability to audit the cumulative performance of the activities of an area against common conservation objectives

12. Plan Evaluation Sum For a biogeographic region From Gavaris et al 2005

13. Challenge of Science #4 Begin acquiring additional information essential for Ecosystem-based management –EBM requires more performance indicators –Not collecting relevant information (e.g. bycatch, area trawled) Product: Modified surveys and monitoring systems –Hard to add to monitoring systems during fiscal restraint

14. Enhanced Fishery Monitoring

15. Challenge of Science #5 Develop methods of integrating conservation with social and economic objectives –Decisions are based on tradeoff among objectives –Are conservation objectives simply constraints? Product: Decision support systems for ‘integrated management’ and EBA –Evaluation of overall performance of activity against multiple objectives

17. Our experience with this approach Offers a framework for prioritization of science Of direct and immediate relevance to management

19. Our experience with this approach Offers a framework for prioritization of science Of direct and immediate relevance to management Places all managed activities on the same page Makes EBM operational

21. Following slides are for reference

22. Indicators Performance indicator –Pertinent to strategy –Measure response to managed activity Reference points are guideposts reference state Performance Indicator

23. What is Ecosystem Based Management? Manage human activities to: –Control impact on ecosystem –Recognize ecosystem influence on how we conduct activity