Large marine ecosystems: An emerging paradigm for fishery sustainability

摘要

Large marine ecosystems (LMEs) are areas of ocean space with distinctbathymetry, hydrography, productivity, and trophic relationships. On aglobal scale, researchers have described 50 LMEs; these areas account for95% of the annual global marine fishery yields. Retrospective analyses ofthe principal forces driving changes in the yields and sustainability offisheries biomass have been completed for 33 of the LMEs. Based on theresults of these studies, working groups within the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration and National Marine Fisheries Service havedeveloped a five-module strategic approach for strengthening the linksbetween science-based assessments of changing LME states and socioeconomicbenefits of long-term sustainability of fisheries. The modules provide aframework for developing countries to improve assessment and management ofLME fisheries, habitat and related pollution reduction needs. The LMEprojects currently funded or being developed in collaboration with theGlobal Environment Facility, World Bank, and other international donoragencies represent a broad global spectrum of stakeholders. Included arethe ministries of Fisheries, Environment, Finance, and other public andprivate sector interests of 14 countries in Asia, 20 countries in Africa,16 countries in Central and South America, and 9 countries in easternEurope. [References: 72]