Ecosystem Based Approach to Management and Ocean Observing

Kevin FriedlandNational Marine Fisheries Service, 28 Tarzwell Dr., Narragansett, RI 02882, USA

Transition to Full EBFMChange in Assessment ApproachCurrent FMP Structure Transition FMP Structure

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Ecosystem-Based FMP

FMPs Based on Single Species Assessments

FMPs Based on Extended Single Species Assessments

EBFM Modules Based onIntegrated Ecosystem Assessments

EBFM

EBFM

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Change in Production Potential

Annual daily mean chlorophyll a concentration (orange) and primary production (green) for the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem.

Surface chlorophyll a concentration (top) and chlorophyll anomaly (bottom) for the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem.

Change in Climate Conditions

Time series of sea surface temperatures in eco-regions of the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem with projected temperature based on an ensemble of climate projection models.

Northwards shift of red hake Urophycis chuss based in bottom trawl survey data, cool to warm, blue to red, shades scale from low to high abundance (extracted from Nye et al. 2009).

Application of Ocean Observing Datain an Ecosystem Context

1. Indicators in status assessments and response analyses-Advisories, Status Reports, Integrated Ecosystem Assessments

2. Model parameterization-Fisheries Ecosystem Management Plans

3. Spatial analyses-consultation with entities dealing with marine spatial planning issues

4. Definition of habitat5. Production level forcing of higher trophic level yield6. Climate projections-expectations of change in species

distributional range and fisheries availability

Continuing and New Observing Data of Interest for Ecosystem Research

1. Indicators that are responsive to ecosystem change2. Measurements that help us understand primary production

and the foodweb dynamics that control energy flow in the ecosystem—resulting in harvestable seafood

3. Variables that are part of our modeling systems for eco-production units

4. Parameters that control the behavior of organisms and thus define their habitats

5. Observing system measurements that can be contextualized to climate change projections

Highlighted Practical Issues

1. Data assimilative hindcasts of circulation-with community available outputs of temperature, salinity, density and flow

2. Multiple monthly glider sections to estimate transport3. Continued real-time analyses of habitat definition4. Better coordination with NERACOOS