A TRIAGE LIST

It is not always appropriate to consider every ecosystem factor in living marine resource (LMR) management. So when is it appropriate, or even imperative, to consider the broader factors? It would be advantageous to have a set of criteria to use in making the decision to embark upon EBFM. A checklist of things to consider would be helpful, as would a set of examples of when EBFM has been shown to be important.

The case studies presented in Chapter 5 serve as generalizable examples for when the implementation of EBFM is needed. But more specifically, some of the characteristics noted in Table 4.1 can help delineate the major features of any particular ecosystem and set of species warranting an ecosystem approach. Forcing oneself to compile information on the geography, physics, biota, ecology, and fisheries for any given ecosystem is a valuable exercise in itself. Evaluating these factors is useful to determine the relative importance of trophic interactions, abiotic factors, fishing mortality, and so forth. No standard set of conditions and rules applies to all ecosystems, and attempting to prescribe a common set of goal functions for each ecosystem is imprudent. I will not advocate any particular methodology, model, or approach to address this list of issues, as their importance changes from ecosystem to ecosystem.