Operationalizing Ecosystem and Habitat Indicators to Support Climate-Ready Fisheries Management in the Mid-Atlantic

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# Operationalizing Ecosystem and Habitat Indicators to Support Climate-Ready Fisheries Management in the Mid-Atlantic
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.subtitle[
## Definitions November 2025 
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.author[
### Sarah Gaichas, Hydra Scientific LLC Gavin Fay, UMass Dartmouth Kelsey Roberts, UMass Dartmouth Sophie Wulfing, UMass Dartmouth
]

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# What is an ecosystem indicator?

An *indicator* tells us something about where we are relative to our goals or to limits, or about the context we are working within that may affect achieving our goals.

???
<img src="https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/indicators.png" alt="bank account balance, speedometer, weather warning" />

as a big umbrella that can include many types of information
A quick definition of ecosystem indicators, why they’re useful, and broad categories (e.g. climate, oceanographic, habitat, primary productivity, ecosystem services, human dimensions, etc.)

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## What is an ecosystem indicator?  Performance relative to objectives

An *indicator* tells us something about where we are relative to our goals or to limits, or about the context we are working within that may affect achieving our goals.

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Stock status 
<img src="20250929_Definitions_Gaichas_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-2-1.png" width="504" />

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Commercial Revenue and Recreational Effort
<img src="20250929_Definitions_Gaichas_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-3-1.png" width="504" />

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## What is an ecosystem indicator?  Context, risks to meeting objectives

An *indicator* tells us something about where we are relative to our goals or to limits, or about the context we are working within that may affect achieving our goals.

![:img bottom temperature, 35%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/ecodata/raw/master/data-raw/workshop/images/bottom_temp_threshold_17_19_Elephant_Trunk.png)![:img black sea bass survey distribution change over time from 2018 SOE,30%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/black_sea_bass_kde.png)![:img offshore wind, 35%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/ecodata/raw/master/data-raw/workshop/images/Cumulative_Timeline_FullRegion_SoE2024_v2_2024.png)

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# What is a SMART indicator?

* **Specific**: clearly defined, describing exactly what is measured at what scale and how the indicator is calculated so that methods can be repeated. The indicator can be directly linked to a management process objective.

* **Measurable**: appropriate quantitative or qualitative data are available to evaluate change over time or in space. Tied to measurable management process objective.

* **Achievable**: responses to changes in management are detectable within the management time frame--objectives tied to the indicator must be achievable.

* **Relevant**: accurately reflects changes in the underlying process of concern. The indicator can be directly linked to a management process objective.

* **Time-bound**: how often is indicator measured and does this align with the process of concern, and the management process?

SMART indicators are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely for the priority Council decisions. A SMART indicator for one process won't necessarily be SMART for another.

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# What is Operational? **in use or ready for use**

Components of an operational process:

*  Clear articulation of management objectives (use)

*  Standardized information updates on a regular reporting schedule

*  Feedbacks from the management system and adjustments to achieve management objectives

"Operationalizing" is an iterative process within a specific context

.contrib[*Mid Atlantic fishery management plans and species*]

![:img MAFMC fishery management plans and species, 80%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/MAFMPs4.png)

.footnote[Source: http://www.mafmc.org/fishery-management-plans]

???
(we spend a lot of time on this, understand that operational processes require a lot of time and resources and are *not* research)

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# Spectrum of operational management decisions

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## Strategic:

### Decisions considering long term, high level goals and objectives.

Examples: FMP development, risk policy, EAFM, research priorities

## Tactical:

### Decisions in the short term that are implementing the strategies.

Examples: Annual Catch Limits, specifications, commercial and recreational measures

]

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## Routine:

### Decisions made or reviewed annually or more often across all the managed stocks

Examples: ACL, specifications, recreational measures, gear modifications

## Occasional:

### Decisions made over the longer term that modify the FMP, tailored to a particular management issue, that specify routine decisions

Examples: FMP Amendment, FMP Framework Action

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*SMART indicators for each of these decision types will differ*
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# Questions and Discussion on Definitions
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.footnote[
Slides available at https://sgaichas.github.io/HSpresentations 
Contact: <sgaichas@hydrascientificllc.com>
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