December 2008
Welcome to the inaugural Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in Chesapeake Bay Update! Our goal is to keep you informed of ongoing activities related to the facilitating EBFM in Chesapeake Bay project.
Project BackgroundIn coordination with partners across state and federal agencies and research institutions, Maryland Sea Grant is facilitating the adoption of a new format for ecosystem-based fishery management in the Chesapeake Bay. This project will yield ecosystem-based fishery management plans (EBFMPs) for striped bass, blue crabs, alosids, Eastern oysters, and menhaden. These plans will move beyond traditional single species management to consider the interconnections between species, their physical and living environments, and human influences.
The EBFMP process is currently building a technical foundation using teams that detail key biological issues and stressors, establish quantitative reference points, and integrate them into the development of policy recommendations.
We recognize that active engagement of stakeholders is integral to the success of this effort. Input from managers, scientists, watermen, and other interested citizens will be sought throughout the duration of the project.
For more detailed information on the process please visit: http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/ebfm
Striped BassWork is underway on development of the ecosystem-based fishery management plan for striped bass, the pilot species for this new initiative.
The Striped Bass Biological Background Development Team, which was formed this fall after a nomination process, has met several times via conference call and in person. The Team is currently wrapping up their work products which will be completed on December 16. The Team has produced a short Biological Background Brief that identifies the key biological issues for striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and a series of Key Ecosystem Issue Briefs that target the pertinent ecosystem considerations for striped bass within four major categories: Habitat Suitability, Stock Assessment, Socioeconomics, and Foodweb.
These briefs will be passed on to the Quantitative Ecosystem Teams (QET) for those four ecosystem areas. The briefs provide the foundation for the QET's work — developing ecosystem-based performance measures and reference points for striped bass management.
The Quantitative Ecosystem Teams are currently being populated and will begin work in January 2009.
Menhaden and Blue CrabAfter solicitation of input from fisheries scientists and managers in the Chesapeake Bay region, menhaden and blue crab have been chosen as the next species to target for EBFMP development. The Blue Crab Biological Background Development Team and the Menhaden Biological Background Development Team have been populated; both teams will commence work in early January.
Upcoming EventsDecember 10, 2008: The Striped Bass Team will hold its final workgroup meeting on December 10 in Colonial Beach. The Striped Bass Biological Background Brief and Issues Briefs will be completed by December 16.
January 2009: The Quantitative Ecosystem Teams, Blue Crab Biological Background Development Team, and Menhaden Biological Background Development Team begin work.
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