ICES - evidence provider to Ecosystem Based Management (EBM)

This presentation illustrates how ICES operationally supports EBM with special reference to EBSAs, VMEs, and tradeoffs in the North Atlantic. The ICES network of researchers works with managers and stakeholders to find credible regional solutions, using global best practice methods for EBM.
Ecologically & Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) are the CBD method to highlight areas for special attention. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) are created through the FAO guidance on protecting benthic habitats from fisheries impact using indicator species.

Transcript

1. ICES approach as evidence provider to EBM – pressures on species & habitats biodiversity. @ICES_ASC www.ices.dk
2. Ecosystem based management (EBM) Balancing human activities & environmental stewardship in a multiple use context Smith et al 2017
3. General principles of EBM • management of human activities • consideration of collective pressures • achievement of good environmental status • sustainable use • optimization of benefits among diverse societal goals • regionalization • trade-offs • stewardship for future generations http://www.ices.dk/explore-us/Documents/ICES%20and%20EBM.pdf https://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/ICES-ecosystems-and-advisory-areas.aspx ICES ecoregions
4. ICES approach as evidence provider to EBM – pressures on species & habitats biodiversity 1. Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) 2. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) 3. Consequences of tradeoffs between management objectives 4. Moving from qualitative to quantitative assessments of priority anthropogenic pressures in ecoregions
5. 1. Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) • ICES applies the CBD EBSA criteria, tending to synthesize to 4 components: o Foodwebs, productivity, species biodiversity & habitats biodiversity • ICES provides advice on mapping and assessment methods (GIS) • Strength of ICES is the experience of working on regional cases with fisheries & conservation experts, and stakeholders Examples https://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2013/Special%20requests/OSPAR-NEAFC%20EBSA%20management.pdf https://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2019/Special_Requests/no.2019.16.pdf https://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2018/Special_requests/ospar.2018.21.pdf
6. 2. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) ICES trusted science advisor to NEAFC in North Atlantic • Fisheries impact assessed using FAO guidelines • Online portal shows direct link from data collection, to assessment, to advice to NEAFC management measure • EU exploring same approach for EU deep sea access regulation https://www.ices.dk/marine-data/data-portals/Pages/vulnerable-marine-ecosystems.aspx http://www.fao.org/in-action/vulnerable-marine-ecosystems/criteria/en/
7. 3. Consequences of tradeoffs between management objectives • Integrated ecosystem assessment groups explore suites of management objectives in each ecoregion • Tools developed for comparing the consequences for tradeoffs between objectives • Stakeholder engagement to explore methods, ideas & consequences • Practical application to advice – seabed impact, MSFD & mixed fisheries Examples https://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2017/Special_requests/eu.2017.13.pdf http://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2018/2018/mix-cs.pdf https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WKIrish.aspx
8. 4. Moving from qualitative to quantitative assessments of priority anthropogenic pressures in ecoregions • ICES ecosystem overviews identify regional priorities, the predominant pressures in an ecoregion • Current method is qualitative • Ambition to assess cumulative pressures from multiple activities, developing frameworks & methods including risk assessments https://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/Ecosystem-overviews.aspx http://ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Guidelines%20and%20Policies/16.2_Ecosystem_overviews_guidelines.pdf https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WKCEAM.aspx
9. Ecosystem overviews, regular advice for EBM 2. Impact of fisheries on the ecosystem 1. Influence of a dynamic ecosystem on fisheries 3. Put pressures into context of other maritime activities & pressures https://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/fisheries-overviews.aspx https://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/Ecosystem-overviews.aspx