Management challenges are opportunities for fisheries ecosystem models in the Gulf of Mexico. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chagaris, David; Sagarese, Skyler; Farmer, Nick; Mahmoudi, Behzad; de Mutsert, Kim; VanderKooy, Steven; Patterson, William F.; Kilgour, Morgan; Schueller, Amy; Ahrens, Robert; Lauretta, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Marine policy. Volume 101(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Fisheries management -- Ecosystem models -- Gulf of Mexico -- Stakeholder considerations; Marine resources -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Marine resources -- Economic aspects; Periodicals; 333.916405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.11.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-597X

Abstract

Abstract: Fisheries resources in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are under increasing pressure from both natural and anthropogenic stressors that have potentially broad effects on the ecosystem and introduce considerable uncertainty into management outcomes. To address these issues, more holistic, ecosystem-based tools are needed to inform decision-making. A Scoping Workshop with scientists, managers, and other stakeholders was held to identify and prioritize challenges in the GoM that could be addressed using ecosystem models, and how best to incorporate those models into the existing fisheries assessment and management framework. Challenges identified were associated with uncertainty in stock assessments, environmental stressors, multi-species reference points, invasive species, habitat effects, spatial management, and forage fisheries. Short-term priorities included those that address critical assumptions in stock assessments and inform imminent decision making, whereas long-term priorities were those associated with environmental stressors and novel management approaches. This information is intended to guide future ecosystem modeling efforts and help advance ecosystem based fisheries management in the region. Highlights: Fisheries in the GoM are affected by natural and anthropogenic stressors with potentially broad impacts on the ecosystem. A workshop was held to identify key management challenges in the GoM that could be addressed using ecosystem models. There is an urgent need to integrate ecosystem processes into stock assessments and inform single species catch limits. Other challenges are associated with long-term environmental change and development of alternative management strategies.