Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in Marine Environments

Effective stewardship of marine fisheries increasingly recognises the need to consider interactions among species, habitats and human activities within the context of dynamic and changing ecosystems. Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) extends beyond single-species stock assessments to integrate trophic relationships, habitat conservation, water quality and socio-economic drivers. By adopting a holistic framework, EBFM aims to maintain the structure, function and resilience of marine ecosystems while enabling sustainable yields and supporting coastal communities. Core elements include adaptive governance, stakeholder engagement, spatial planning and the incorporation of climate-driven variability. Practical applications range from the designation of marine protected areas and the implementation of gear restrictions to the use of real-time data streams for responsive management. Global case studies—from temperate continental shelves to tropical upwelling zones—demonstrate that integrated measures, such as combining quotas with habitat safeguards and dynamic spatial closures, often outperform single-focus interventions. As environmental pressures intensify under climate change and increasing coastal development, EBFM offers a pathway to balance food security, biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of millions who depend on the marine environment.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have quantified how extreme events reshape marine food webs and challenge conventional fisheries approaches. One analysis modelled the impacts of successive marine heatwaves in the North-East Pacific on the distributions of top predators, revealing highly variable habitat shifts and jurisdictional changes. This work led to the development of a near-real-time dynamic ocean management tool that predicts species distributions under extreme conditions, enabling managers to adjust spatial regulations proactively. Another investigation employed an enhanced ensemble of global marine ecosystem models, driven by the latest Earth system projections, to assess future biomass trends under different emissions scenarios. Results indicate steeper declines in animal biomass than previously projected and underscore the need for uncertainty-informed adaptation strategies within EBFM frameworks.

Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in Marine Environments publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in ecosystem-based fisheries management in marine environments across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM): A holistic approach to fisheries that considers ecological interactions, habitat health and human dimensions to sustain marine biodiversity and resources.

Dynamic ocean management: A responsive management practice using near-real-time environmental and biological data to adjust spatial boundaries and regulations as conditions change.

Management strategy evaluation (MSE): A simulation framework that tests and compares the performance of alternative management policies under uncertainty to support decision-making.

Integrated ecosystem assessment (IEA): A systematic process for synthesising ecological, social and economic information to assess ecosystem status, identify risks and evaluate management trade-offs.

References

1. Impacts of marine heatwaves on top predator distributions are variable but predictable. Nature Communications (2023).
2. Next-generation ensemble projections reveal higher climate risks for marine ecosystems. Nature Climate Change (2021).
3. Automatic mapping of aquaculture activity in the Atlantic Ocean. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation (2024).
4. Integrated Ecosystem Assessments: Developing the Scientific Basis for Ecosystem-Based Management of the Ocean. PLOS Biology (2009).
5. An Integrated Approach Is Needed for Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management: Insights from Ecosystem-Level Management Strategy Evaluation. PLOS ONE (2014).