Ecosystem-based management as a tool for protecting deep-sea corals in the USA

摘要

In the USA, deep-sea coral habitat protection occurs as a secondary issue to traditional commercial fishery management. Ecosystem-based management (EBM) would better serve the goals of fishery management and deep-sea coral protection for three reasons. First, EBM preserves all parts of the ecosystem regardless of commercial value and prevents collateral damage of fishing activities on sensitive habitats including coral areas. Second, EBM addresses ecosystem stressors, holistically providing a framework to evaluate and manage the combined impacts of fishing and non-fishing threats to deep-sea corals. Third, EBM bases adaptive management on the precautionary principle, allowing emerging science to guide management actions.