January 2009
Work on Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in Chesapeake Bay is in full force.
This past month the Menhaden and Blue Crab Species Teams met for the first time. Formerly these were called "Biological Background Development Teams," however, their work encompasses more than just the biology of each species and thus we have re-named the teams to more appropriately reflect their purpose. The meetings of the two new Species Teams were very productive. Both developed draft work plans for formulating a series of briefs that address the critical ecosystem issues facing their respective species. First drafts are due on February 10th for the Blue Crab Team and February 26th for the Menhaden Team. The Blue Crab Team has selected Eric Johnson (SERC) as their chair and the Menhaden Team selected Ed Houde (UMCES-CBL) as their chair.
Once the scientists and managers on the teams have written and reviewed all briefs, the documents will be passed on to the Quantitative Ecosystem Teams (QETs) in the areas of Habitat Suitability, Stock Assessment, Food Web, and Socioeconomics. The briefs provide the foundation for the QETs' work -- developing ecosystem-based performance measures and reference points for management. The briefs are based on the ecosystem stresses affecting each species. An example of one of the ecosystem stresses addressed by the Striped Bass Team is an issue brief on "warming caused by climate change" for the Habitat Suitability QET. The Striped Bass Team pointed to several issues for striped bass associated with warming including degraded nursery, increased forage demand, habitat squeeze, larval survival, increased predation, and increased emigration. Further, the Striped Bass Team suggested several metrics/indicators and reference points needed to address this ecosystem stress for striped bass. For example, in order to make management recommendations to deal with increased forage demand as a result of warming, the Habitat Suitability QET would need to identify metrics/indicators associated with changes in the trophic supply and demand and reference points for the change in ecosystem carrying capacity. The Team made similar recommendations for metrics/indicators and reference points for each ecosystem stress that they identified for striped bass.
While recognizing that each species has its own set of critical ecosystem issues to be addressed, the Striped Bass Work Plan (shown below) served as a valuable model for the Menhaden and Blue Crab Teams to follow in developing their respective work plans. The Striped Bass Work Plan identifies the issues facing striped bass along with specific stressors. The third column indicates the Quantitative Ecosystem Team that will be receiving the brief. Striped bass briefs have been completed and are being formatted and packaged for distribution to the QETs. The QETs will then begin developing indicators and reference points by which to judge management success.
Upcoming Events
We have initiated a series of stakeholder meetings regarding EBFM in Chesapeake Bay. We welcome suggestions of groups that would be interesting in hearing about our efforts. Please send ideas to Shannon Green at green@mdsg.umd.edu
Presentation at Ecosystem Based Management: the Chesapeake Bay and Other Systems.
March 22-26, 2009 in Baltimore, MD. For more information on the conference visit: http://www.chesapeakemeetings.com/EBM/
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