Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable Oceans

Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) is a systems-level approach that accounts for an ecosystem's physical, biological, economic, and social components. This approach aims to maintain ecosystems and their dependent fisheries in healthy, productive, and resilient conditions to ensure they can provide services to human and biological communities. The Congressional Research Service has issued a white paper on EBFM, highlighting its benefits and challenges, and the implementation plans of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Key Takeaways:

• EBFM provides various benefits to complement traditional single-species fisheries management, including additional information on ecosystems' functions and responses to multiple stressors.
• The approach may identify trade-offs among different stakeholder priorities for living marine resources (LMRs) and their fisheries, informing fisheries management decisions.
• Experts have identified challenges regarding EBFM and its implementation, including potential lack of resonance with stakeholders.
• NMFS has implemented its EBFM policy and guidelines, including six main areas of focus: ecosystem-level planning, scientific understanding, prioritizing vulnerabilities, exploring trade-offs, implementing ecosystem considerations, and supporting ecosystem resilience.
• NMFS has produced nine EBFM implementation plans, including seven regional plans, one NMFS headquarters plan, and one plan for Atlantic highly migratory species management.
• The plans include specific milestones over a five-year period for implementing EBFM, including information on current ecosystem approaches and planned EBFM practices and engagement strategies.
• NMFS and partners have included ecosystem considerations in some fishery management actions and LMR assessments, such as the implementation of the 2 million metric ton annual limit for all groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area.
• Congress has taken actions related to EBFM and fisheries ecosystem research, including directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Ecosystem Principles Advisory Panel and authorizing the Secretary to support regional pilot projects to implement EBFM recommendations.

Statistics:

• NMFS assesses and manages over 500 regulated fishery stocks and stock complexes, over 100 marine mammal species, and approximately 100 threatened and endangered species.
• NMFS has incorporated ecosystem considerations into approximately 25% of its fishery stock assessments as part of its progress toward EBFM.
• Nine EBFM implementation plans have been produced, including seven regional plans, one NMFS headquarters plan, and one plan for Atlantic highly migratory species management.
• The plans include specific milestones over a five-year period for implementing EBFM, including information on current ecosystem approaches and planned EBFM practices and engagement strategies.

Sources:

• Congressional Research Service. (2025, August 25). Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management. In Focus White Paper (No. IF12768).
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Implementation Plans--Fishery Ecosystem Plans.
• Sennai Habtes. (2024, April 23). Ecosystem Based Technical Advisory Panel Report. Caribbean Fishery Management Council. Presentation at the 184th General Meeting.
• New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Committee.