Changing Global Landscape
Over the past several decades we have observed the collapse of several fisheries and despite stringent management efforts, many have not rebounded. Fisheries management is moving from single species management to a more integrated, ecosystem-based management approach to ensure sustainability of the fisheries. Highlighted in an ecosystem approach to management is the need to manage for sustainability of natural resources, such as fisheries and their community interactions and habitats. This approach would require greater understanding of spatially and temporally explicit ecosystem components, processes and services, as well as coordination of human activities. In Canada they are taking action now, recognizing that management needs are immediate and will not wait for data and scientific data to be “complete”. In addition, Canada has been successful in demonstrating the importance of seabed mapping to the fishing industry and, in part, the government. Although the expertise to regionally map the U.S. EEZ exists, the focus of current mapping efforts has, for the most part, not been on fisheries habitat.
Management challenges
From a management perspective there are several issues that are highlighted for future consideration. There is a need for a national framework that sets priorities and integrates the various research and mapping activities. The priorities should be developed in conjunction with managers to address their priorities for an ecosystem-based management approach. In addition to the oceanographic and mapping data, user friendly decision-making tools will serve to “translate” highly technical data into useful information. Because GIS is visual, it enhances stakeholder understanding, a critical element in supporting the research and mapping efforts. Tools for analysis, communication, and management may exist to meet the challenges facing fisheries management, but they have not yet been fully implemented as useful fisheries management tools. Partially this is due to a lack of sufficient resources to properly test and evaluate these tools.