Diversity, Evolution, and Innovation: Learning from U.S. Fishery Management Councils’ Ecosystem Approaches

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.title[
# Diversity, Evolution, and Innovation: Learning from U.S. Fishery Management Councils’ Ecosystem Approaches
]
.subtitle[
## Towson University EBFM 26 February 2026 
]
.author[
### Sarah Gaichas, Hydra Scientific LLC
]

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## The Issue: Will we ever have Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) or Fishery Management (EBFM)?

.pull-left-30[
"...while ample ecosystem science and mandates often exist, steep challenges to EBFM and EBM implementation remain in the areas of governance, coordination, and political will ([Harvey et al. 2025](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/faf.70012))."
]

.pull-right-70[
Let's proceed in Chris Harvey's "realm of the possible" and work in specific frameworks that are regional, credible, and cooperative.

![Harvey Bevan slide 32](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/HarveyBevanNextSteps.png)
.footnote[
Slide courtesy Chris Harvey
]

]

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# Pep Talk!  Bottom Line: There *IS* progress

*  **Governance:** All US Fishery Management Councils have some kind of ecosystem approach already embedded in management or in progress

*  **Will:** Councils want to use ecosystem information, but are often overwhelmed by it

*  **Coordination:** Collaboration is required for managers to prioritize needs and for scientists to provide the right information at the right time to make a decision

.footnote[
Source: https://xkcd.com/544/
]

--
.pull-left-70[
## How Do We Proceed?

*  Iterative co-production of processes and products

*  Complexity in "digestible packets"

*  Risk-based methods

*  Actionable ecosystem plans

]

.pull-right-30[]

???

*  Iterative co-production of processes and products: Learn by doing, refine and adjust over tine 
*  Risk-based methods: Adaptable to many decision processes
*  Science communication: Councils need ecosystem information in "digestible packets"
*  Actionable ecosystem plans: Address management issues in digestible packets too!

Understand and work in the "specific framework" described by Chris Harvey, what is the realm of the possible in each region–regional, credible, cooperative. This is just how fisheries management works in general. Nobody makes all the Councils use the same harvest control rules or risk policies, why should they all have the same ecosystem approach?

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## Context: Fishery Management in the US

Eight regional Fishery Management Councils establish plans for sustainable management of stocks within their jurisdictions. All are governed by the same law, but tailor management to their regional stakeholder needs.

.footnote[
Source: https://www.fisherycouncils.org/ 
]

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# Diversity

.pull-left-30[
A range of latitudes,

ecology,

human communities,

fisheries,

data availability,

resources,

and issues &rarr;

range of approaches.

]

.pull-right-70[
.footnote[
Source: https://ecowatch.noaa.gov/about
]
]

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## Diversity: Human Communities

.footnote[
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3//2026-02/FEUS-2023-web_0.pdf 
]

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## Diversity: Commercial Fisheries

.footnote[
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3//2026-02/FEUS-2023-web_0.pdf 
]

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## Diversity: Recreational Fisheries

.footnote[
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3//2026-02/FEUS-2023-web_0.pdf 
]

---
# Evolution

## Management Frameworks

Fishery Management Plans include ecosystem goals and objectives

Fishery Ecosystem Plans have changed over time from descriptive &rarr; actionable

## Scientific Ecosystem Reporting

Structure, presentation, transparency, and reproducibility have changed over time with Council feedback

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## Evolution of Management Frameworks

.pull-left-60[
**Fishery Management Plan (FMP)**: a legally required document outlining methods (management measures, regulations, monitoring, research) to achieve fishery management objectives as specified in the U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Councils:
*  determine which fisheries are included in an FMP, 
*  describe targeted species and fishing methods, 
*  identify essential habitat, and 
*  design methods to ensure sustainable Optimum Yield* while meeting other objectives such as bycatch reduction and other legal mandates for protected species.

*OY: maximum benefit to the Nation in terms of seafood production and recreational opportunities while accounting for the protection of marine ecosystems
]

.pull-right-30[
.footnote[
Source: https://safmc.net/fishery-management/
]
]

---
## Fishery Management Plan Objectives

Official name: Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.

.pull-left[
**Goal 1 (Science):**
Management decisions for the snapper grouper fishery are based upon robust, defensible science that considers qualitative and quantitative data analyzed in a timely, clear, and transparent manner that builds stakeholder confidence. 
.table[
* Promote collection of quality data to support management plans and programs considered by the Council. 
* Encourage the development of mechanisms to effectively engage and collaborate with stakeholders on cooperative research, data collection, and analysis. 
* **Improve knowledge about the social and economic elements of the snapper grouper fishery in the South Atlantic.** 
* Support improved and expanded monitoring and reporting programs for the snapper grouper fishery. 
* **Promote data collection and analysis to support ecosystem and habitat considerations for the snapper grouper fishery.**
]
]

.pull-right[
**Goal 2 (Management):**
Adopt management strategies for the snapper grouper fishery that rebuild and maintain fishery resources, adapt to regional differences in the fishery, and consider the social and economic needs of fishing communities. 
.table[
* **Develop management measures that consider sub-regional differences and issues within the fishery.** 
* Develop innovative management measures that allow consistent access to the fishery for all sectors. 
* **Ensure that management decisions help maximize social and economic opportunity for all sectors.** 
* Develop management measures that reduce and mitigate discards. 
* **Support management measures that incorporate ecosystem and habitat considerations for the snapper grouper fishery.** 
* Develop management measures that support optimal sector allocations for the snapper grouper fishery. 
]
]

.footnote[
Source: https://safmc.net/fishery-management-plans/snapper-grouper/
]

???

Goal 3 (Communication)
Employ interactive outreach strategies that encourage continuous participation and support two-way engagement between managers and snapper grouper fishery stakeholders while building a greater understanding of science and management.

*  Develop communication approaches that provide streamlined and timely information to increase awareness and engage stakeholders. 
*  Ensure that Council communication encourages and supports engagement with a diverse audience of stakeholders. 
*  Improve awareness and understanding of fishery science and research and how these inform management. 
*  Improve awareness and understanding of how social and economic issues are linked to fisheries management measures.

Goal 4 (Governance)
Commit to a transparent, balanced, and timely decision-making process that allows flexible yet well-defined protocols and strategies for managing the snapper grouper fishery.

*  Create an accountable and flexible decision-making process for development and evaluation of management measures. 
*  Build capacity to streamline management efforts and better coordinate with management partners. 
*  Improve communication with stakeholders to ensure the needs of the fishery are understood and considered throughout the Council process.

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## Evolution of Management Frameworks

.pull-left-60[

**Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP)**: a document outlining methods for ecosystem-based fishery management by providing an ecosystem description, overarching ecosystem policies and goals, and methods for coordinating across managed fisheries and addressing ecosystem interactions.

*  When FEPs contain all components of an FMP, they can be used as FMPs (Western Pacific).

![:img HawaiiFEP, 20%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/HawaiiFEP.png)![:img MarianaFEP, 20%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/MarianaFEP.png)![:img AMSamoaFEP, 20%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/AMSamoaFEP.png)![:img PRIAFEP, 20%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/PRIAFEP.png)![:img PelagicFEP, 20%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/PelagicFEP.png)

*  FEPs were originally outlined and recommended in a 1999 report to Congress, and operational methods for refining and using FEPs have been advanced more recently.

.footnote[
Source: https://www.wpcouncil.org/fishery-ecosystem-plans-amendments/
]

]

.pull-right-30[
.footnote[
Sources: [SAFMC FEP I](https://safmc.net/documents/combined-fep_toc-pdf/), [FEP II](https://safmc.net/documents/fishery-ecosystem-plan-2-fep-ii/)
]

]

---
## Evolution of Fishery Ecosystem Plans: Implementation Pathways

"Umbrella" documents establishing processes to turn the ecosystem plan into tangible action on a topic: Pacific, Mid-Atlantic, North Pacific (Bering Sea), Gulf
.pull-left[
![:img Pacific Ecosystem Initiatives, 30%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/Pacific-EcoInitiatives.png)![:img Bering FEP, 30%](https://github.com/sgaichas/presentations/raw/main/docs/EDAB_images/BeringFEPcover.png)![:img Gulf FEP, 30%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/Gulf-FEP.png)![:img Bering Action Modules, 100%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/Bering-ActionModule.png)
]

.pull-right[
![:img Gulf Fishery Ecosystem Initiatives, 100%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/Gulf-FEI.png)

.footnote[
Sources: [Pacific FEP](https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/04/pacific-coast-fishery-ecosystem-plan-march-2022.pdf/) and [Initiatives Appendix](https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/09/fep_initiatives_appendix_post_03_17_final_170509.pdf/), [Bering FEP](https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=c334ad33-4139-4b5a-b205-a8b7c5028562.pdf&fileName=D6%20Final%20BS%20FEP%20Jan%202019.pdf), [Draft Gulf FEP](https://gulf-council-media.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/10/Q-4a-Gulf_FEP_2025.pdf)
]
]

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## Evolution of Scientific Reporting

.pull-left-60[
**Ecosystem Status Report (ESR)**: a document summarizing ecosystem information for a particular region, spanning physical, biological, economic, and social information.

*  Indicators are presented and interpreted in the context of historical trends and current status relative to any known reference points. 
*  Trends and status of indicators can contribute to risk assessment at the ecosystem or stock level. 
*  Also known as State of the Ecosystem (SOE) or Ecosystem Considerations reports.

![:img GOA brief p1, 25%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/GOA-ESR-Brief-1.png)![:img GOA brief p2, 50%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/GOA-ESR-Brief-2.png)![:img GOA brief p3, 25%](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/GOA-ESR-Brief-3.png)

.footnote[
Source: [Gulf of Alaska ESR in Brief](https://apex.psmfc.org/akfin/r/akfin/151/files/static/v154/2024/GOA_ESR_Brief_2024.pdf) 
]
]

.pull-right-30[

.footnote[
Source: [South Atlantic ESR](https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/33280) 
]
]

---
## Evolution of Scientific Reporting: Structure

![:img State of the Ecosystem page 1 summary table, 33%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/SOE-MA-02282025-508-performance.png)![:img State of the Ecosystem page 2 risk bullets, 33%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/SOE-MA-02282025-508-risks.png)![:img State of the Ecosystem page 3 highlights, 33%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/SOE-MA-02282025-508-highlights.png)

Indicators &rarr; Management objectives, Risks to meeting objectives, Observations from fisheries and scientists

.footnote[
Source: [Mid-Atlantic SOE Summary](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3/2025-05/SOE-MA-02282025-508.pdf) 
]

---
## Evolution of Scientific Reporting: Open Science

The 2025 Caribbean Report is structured around FMP objectives and uses management performance and risk indicators identified in EBFM conceptual models*

.pull-left-70[
![Mandy's slide](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/MandyKarnauskas_OpenScienceESR.png)

.footnote[
Slide courtesy Mandy Karnauskas, NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center

*more on this later
]
]

.pull-right-30[
Caribbean Ecosystem Status Report available in [pdf](https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/71118) and [online](https://gulf-iea.github.io/Caribbean-ESR-2/) formats

Reproducible and open-source workflow (credit: Carissa Gervasi)

All code and public data available on GitHub: https://github.com/Gulf-IEA/Caribbean-ESR-2

Production in weeks not years

]

---
# Innovation

Stock assessment-ecosystem indicator integration

Risk-based frameworks for catch specification

Mid Atlantic EAFM: learning by doing

Caribbean EBFM: co-production with communities

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## Innovation: Stock Assessment Integration

.pull-left-60[
**Ecosystem Socioeconomic Profile (ESP)**: a document summarizing ecosystem information for a particular *stock*, spanning physical, biological, economic, and social information.

*  *ESR for a stock*
*  Based on a life history conceptual model identifying key bottlenecks and drivers
*  Indicators are presented and interpreted in the context of historical trends and current status relative to any known reference points. 
*  Trends and status of indicators can contribute to risk assessment at the stock level. 
*  Alaska invented, Northeast adopted (but does not use in the same way)

.footnote[
See [Shotwell et al. 2023](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08920753.2023.2291858)
]
]

.pull-right-30[
.footnote[
Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/integrating-ecosystem-and-socioeconomic-information-fisheries-management
]
]

---
## Innovation: Conceptual Models &rarr; Indicators in Ecosystem Socioeconomic Profiles

.pull-left[
![:img BSB ESP conceptual model](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/BSB-consmod.png)

]

.pull-right[

![GOA pcod ESP conceptual model](https://media.fisheries.noaa.gov/styles/media_750_x500/s3/2022-03/Working_Conceptual_Model_EBS%20Pcod.png)
]

.footnote[
Images courtesy [NEFSC](https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/66453), [ASFC](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/2021-alaska-fisheries-science-center-year-review) 
]

---
## Innovation: Applying Ecosystem Socioeconomic Profiles

![:img ESP decisions](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/ESPdecisionsupporttable2.png)

.footnote[
Image courtesy Abigail Tyrell, NEFSC
]

---
## Innovation: Applying Ecosystem Socioeconomic Profiles

.pull-left[
### Quantitiatve Covariate in the Model

![:img bottom temp in BSB assessment, 90%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/Ecov_1_North_BT.png)

]

.pull-right[
### Qualitative ABC Decision Outside the Model

![:img GOA cod risk assessment, 90%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/GOApcodESPrisk.png)
]

.footnote[
Images courtesy Emily Liljestrand, NEFSC, and [ASFC](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/2021-alaska-fisheries-science-center-year-review) 
]

???
![:img Bluefish ESP conceptual model](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/bluefishconceptualmodel.png)

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## Innovation: North Pacific Risk Tables

.pull-left-30[
Since risk tables were introduced (2018):

14 stocks have had reductions from the maximum permissible recommended catch due to risk information regarding

stock assessment,

population dynamics,

fishery concerns, and

ecosystem concerns.

.footnote[
See [Dorn and Zador 2020](https://spj.science.org/doi/10.1080/20964129.2020.1813634)
]
]

.pull-right-70[
.footnote[
Figure courtesy Ebett Siddon, AFSC
]
]

---
## Innovation: North Pacific Risk Tables: Increased Risk &rarr; Increased Precaution

<div class="tabwid"><style>.cl-2c69904a{}.cl-2c66b62c{font-family:'Helvetica';font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);background-color:transparent;}.cl-2c67eb00{margin:0;text-align:left;border-bottom: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);padding-bottom:5pt;padding-top:5pt;padding-left:5pt;padding-right:5pt;line-height: 1;background-color:transparent;}.cl-2c67f6fe{width:2in;background-color:transparent;vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 1.5pt solid rgba(102, 102, 102, 1.00);border-top: 1.5pt solid rgba(102, 102, 102, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}.cl-2c67f708{width:2in;background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1.00);vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}.cl-2c67f730{width:2in;background-color:rgba(255, 255, 0, 0.31);vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}.cl-2c67f731{width:2in;background-color:rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.31);vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 1.5pt solid rgba(102, 102, 102, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}</style><table data-quarto-disable-processing='true' class='cl-2c69904a'><caption style="display:table-caption;margin:0pt;text-align:center;border-bottom: 0.00pt solid transparent;border-top: 0.00pt solid transparent;border-left: 0.00pt solid transparent;border-right: 0.00pt solid transparent;padding-top:3pt;padding-bottom:3pt;padding-left:3pt;padding-right:3pt;line-height: 1;background-color:transparent;">North Pacific Risk Levels and Indicator Criteria</caption><thead><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><th class="cl-2c67f6fe">Risk Level</th><th class="cl-2c67f6fe">Assessment-related Considerations</th><th class="cl-2c67f6fe">Population Dynamics Considerations</th><th class="cl-2c67f6fe">Ecosystem Considerations</th><th class="cl-2c67f6fe">Fishery-informed Stock Considerations</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><td class="cl-2c67f708">Level 1: Minimal Concern</td><td class="cl-2c67f708">...</td><td class="cl-2c67f708">...</td><td class="cl-2c67f708">No apparent environmental/ecosystem concerns.</td><td class="cl-2c67f708">...</td></tr><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><td class="cl-2c67f730">Level 2: Increased Concern</td><td class="cl-2c67f730">...</td><td class="cl-2c67f730">...</td><td class="cl-2c67f730">Multiple indicators showing consistent adverse signals a) across the same trophic level as the stock, and/or b) up or down trophic levels (i.e., predators and prey of the stock).</td><td class="cl-2c67f730">...</td></tr><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><td class="cl-2c67f731">Level 3: Extreme Concern</td><td class="cl-2c67f731">...</td><td class="cl-2c67f731">...</td><td class="cl-2c67f731">Extreme anomalies in multiple ecosystem indicators that are highly likely to impact the stock; Potential for cascading effects on other ecosystem components.</td><td class="cl-2c67f731">...</td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Potential Action: 
Minimal Concern &rarr; No Catch Reduction from Maximum Allowed 
Increased Concern &rarr; Some Catch Reduction 
Extreme Concern &rarr; More Catch Reduction

.footnote[
Source: [Draft 2025 Blue King Crab Risk Table](https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=db212742-5381-4c72-b8cf-f95a7913d11e.pdf&fileName=PIBKC%20SAFE%202025%20Appendix%20B.pdf)
]

---
## Innovation: Pacific Risk Tables (in testing): Two Way Street

<div class="tabwid"><style>.cl-2c73518e{}.cl-2c70773e{font-family:'Helvetica';font-size:11pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);background-color:transparent;}.cl-2c71e470{margin:0;text-align:left;border-bottom: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);padding-bottom:5pt;padding-top:5pt;padding-left:5pt;padding-right:5pt;line-height: 1;background-color:transparent;}.cl-2c71eeca{width:4in;background-color:transparent;vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 1.5pt solid rgba(102, 102, 102, 1.00);border-top: 1.5pt solid rgba(102, 102, 102, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}.cl-2c71eecb{width:4in;background-color:rgba(0, 255, 0, 0.31);vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}.cl-2c71eed4{width:4in;background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1.00);vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}.cl-2c71eed5{width:4in;background-color:rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.31);vertical-align: middle;border-bottom: 1.5pt solid rgba(102, 102, 102, 1.00);border-top: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-left: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);border-right: 0 solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.00);margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;}</style><table data-quarto-disable-processing='true' class='cl-2c73518e'><caption style="display:table-caption;margin:0pt;text-align:center;border-bottom: 0.00pt solid transparent;border-top: 0.00pt solid transparent;border-left: 0.00pt solid transparent;border-right: 0.00pt solid transparent;padding-top:3pt;padding-bottom:3pt;padding-left:3pt;padding-right:3pt;line-height: 1;background-color:transparent;">Pacific Pilot Risk Levels and Indicator Criteria.</caption><thead><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><th class="cl-2c71eeca">Risk Level</th><th class="cl-2c71eeca">Ecosystem and Environmental Conditions</th><th class="cl-2c71eeca">Assessment Data Inputs</th><th class="cl-2c71eeca">Assessment Model Fits and Structural Uncertainty</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><td class="cl-2c71eecb">Level 1: Favorable</td><td class="cl-2c71eecb">Indicators not used in the stock assessment show medium to high level of agreement and moderate to strong evidence supporting high species productivity.</td><td class="cl-2c71eecb">...</td><td class="cl-2c71eecb">...</td></tr><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><td class="cl-2c71eed4">Level 2: Neutral</td><td class="cl-2c71eed4">Majority of indicators show no notable trends and/or no apparent environmental and ecosystem concerns.</td><td class="cl-2c71eed4">...</td><td class="cl-2c71eed4">...</td></tr><tr style="overflow-wrap:break-word;"><td class="cl-2c71eed5">Level 3: Unfavorable</td><td class="cl-2c71eed5">Majority of indicators show medium to high level of agreement and moderate to strong evidence supporting low species productivity</td><td class="cl-2c71eed5">...</td><td class="cl-2c71eed5">...</td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Potential Action: 
Favorable Conditions &rarr; Decrease Risk Buffer (Higher Catch Recommendation) 
Neutral Conditions &rarr; Keep Standard Risk Buffer (Standard Catch Recommendation) 
Unfavorable Conditions &rarr; Increase Risk Buffer (Lower Catch Recommendation)

.footnote[
Source: [CCIEA Risk Table Report](https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2024/08/h-1-a-cciea-team-report-1-cciea-risk-table-report-on-fep-initiative-4.pdf/)
]

---
background-image: url("https://github.com/sgaichas/SAFMCindicators/raw/main/docs/images/NEFMC_RiskPolicy2026.png")
background-size: 900px
background-position: center bottom 45px

## Innovation: New England Risk Policy (in development)

Factors are scored, weighted, and combined for each stock to recommend risk tolerance

Risk tolerance &rarr; proportion of maximum fishing rate in harvest control rules

.footnote[
Source: [January 2026 Council Meeting](https://d23h0vhsm26o6d.cloudfront.net/8b.-Kerr_Council_RiskPolicy_1_28_26.pdf)
]
---
## Innovation: Mid Atlantic Ecosystem Approach

.pull-left[
* 2016 Ecosystem Approach to Fishery Management (EAFM) [Policy Guidance document](
http://www.mafmc.org/s/EAFM-Doc-Revised-2019-02-08.pdf)

.center[
![:img EAFM Policy Guidance Doc Word Cloud, 80%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/MAFMC_EAFMwordcloud.png)
]

]

.pull-right[
* Mid-Atlantic EAFM framework:
.center[
![:img Mid-Atlantic EAFM framework, 100%](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/Framework.png)
]

.footnote[
See [Gaichas et al. 2016](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2016.00105/full), [Muffley et al. 2021](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08920753.2021.1846156)
]

]
???
The Council’s EAFM framework has similarities to the IEA loop on slide 2. It uses risk assessment as a first step to prioritize combinations of managed species, fleets, and ecosystem interactions for consideration. Second, a conceptual model is developed identifying key environmental, ecological, social, economic, and management linkages for a high-priority fishery. Third, quantitative modeling addressing Council-specified questions and based on interactions identified in the conceptual model is applied to evaluate alternative management strategies that best balance management objectives. As strategies are implemented, outcomes are monitored and the process is adjusted, and/or another priority identified in risk assessment can be addressed.

<a name=cite-depiper_operationalizing_2017></a>([DePiper et al., 2017](https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/74/8/2076/3094701))
<a name=cite-bastille_improving_2021></a>([Bastille et al., 2021](https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2021.1846155))
<a name=cite-muffley_there_2021></a>([Muffley et al., 2021](https://doi.org/10.1080/08920753.2021.1846156))
<a name=cite-gaichas_implementing_2018></a>([Gaichas et al., 2018](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2018.00442/abstract))
<a name=cite-depiper_learning_2021></a>([DePiper et al., 2021](https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab054))
<a name=cite-gaichas_framework_2016></a>([Gaichas et al., 2016](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2016.00105/full))

---
.pull-left[
## Innovation: Mid-Atlantic Ecosystem Approach

### Example Risk Element and Criteria

.table[
**Commercial Fishery Resilience -- Fleet Diversity**  
Ranks the risk to maintaining equity in access to fishery resources.

<table>
 <thead>
 <tr>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Risk Level </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Definition </th>
 </tr>
 </thead>
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Low </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> No trend in diversity measures </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Low-Moderate </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Increasing trend or high variance in diversity measure </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;font-weight: bold;background-color: orange !important;"> Moderate-High </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;font-weight: bold;background-color: orange !important;"> Significant long term downward trend in diversity measure </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> High </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Significant recent downward trend in diversity measure </td>
 </tr>
</tbody>
</table>
]

]

.pull-right[
### Annually updated indicator based risk assessment

*Ecosystem level risk elements 2025*
<table class="risktable table" style="font-size: 9px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
 <thead>
 <tr>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> System </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> EcoProd </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> CommVal </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> RecVal </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> FishRes1 </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> FishRes2 </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> ComDiv </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> RecDiv </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Social </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> ComFood </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> RecFood </th>
 </tr>
 </thead>
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Mid-Atlantic </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 </tr>
</tbody>
</table>
.contrib[
]

*Species and Sector level risk elements 2025*
<table class="risktable table" style="font-size: 9px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
 <thead>
 <tr>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Species </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> FControl </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Interact </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> OSW1 </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> OSW2 </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> OtherUse </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> RegComplex </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Discards </th>
 <th style="text-align:left;"> Allocation </th>
 </tr>
 </thead>
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Ocean Quahog-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Surfclam-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Summer flounder-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Summer flounder-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Scup-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Scup-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Black sea bass-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Black sea bass-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Atl. mackerel-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Atl. mackerel-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Butterfish-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Longfin squid-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Shortfin squid-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Golden tilefish-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Golden tilefish-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Blueline tilefish-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Blueline tilefish-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Bluefish-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Bluefish-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Spiny dogfish-R </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Spiny dogfish-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> modhigh </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> highest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Chub mackerel-C </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowmod </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Unmanaged forage </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> lowest </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> Deepsea corals </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> tbd </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 <td style="text-align:left;"> na </td>
 </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

.footnote[
See [Gaichas et al. 2018](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2018.00442/full)
]
]

---
.pull-left[

<div id="htmlwidget-25aef40e8dc20e4ca8bf" style="width:100%;height:710px;" class="widgetframe html-widget"></div>
<script type="application/json" data-for="htmlwidget-25aef40e8dc20e4ca8bf">{"x":{"url":"20260226_Towson_Gaichas_files/figure-html//widgets/widget_sfconceptmod.html","options":{"xdomain":"*","allowfullscreen":false,"lazyload":false}},"evals":[],"jsHooks":[]}</script>

.footnote[
See [DePiper et al. 2021](https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/78/4/1217/6207633)
]
]

.pull-right[
## How has MAFMC used the risk assessment?

* Risk based prioritization: the Council selected summer flounder for [conceptual modeling](https://nefsc.github.io/READ-SSB-DePiper_Summer_Flounder_Conceptual_Models/sfconsmod_riskfactors_subplots.html)

* Council completed management strategy evaluation (MSE) addressing [recreational fishery discards](https://www.mafmc.org/actions/summer-flounder-mse) based on conceptual modeling

* Stakeholder driven MSE coupled population and recreational demand models

![](https://github.com/NOAA-EDAB/presentations/raw/master/docs/EDAB_images/keepOneNoOFkey.png)

* Results: potential improvement in angler welfare with low risk to stock status, multispecies recreational demand model sets specifications
]

---
.pull-left[
## Innovation: Caribbean EBFM Development

Challenge: resource limitations and knowledge gaps combined with diverse and complex island-based contexts

Solution: develop stakeholder-driven conceptual models of the full ecosystem

* connect ecological, economic, social, institutional aspects
* include fishers, managers, businesses, ENGOs, scientists, and the Council
* evaluate island and group models and combine into a consensus model

How?

* conducted 29 workshops over 5 years!
* evaluate agreement and distinction across regions, groups

]

.pull-right[
![:img Carib consensus model, 90%](https://github.com/sgaichas/SAFMCindicators/raw/main/docs/images/CaribConsensusModel.png)

![:img Carib NMDS, 100%](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure/image?download&size=large&id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304101.g004)

]

.footnote[
Source: [Seara et al. 2024](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304101) Figs 3b (top) and 4 (bottom)
]

---
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## Innovation: Caribbean EBFM

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Conceptual models are a rich source of information:

*  Include expert knowledge despite data gaps
*  High agreement ecosystem elements &rarr; EBFM objectives 
*  Threats identified in models used in a new risk assessment framework
*  Indicators incorporated into the [Caribbean Ecosystem Status Report](https://gulf-iea.github.io/Caribbean-ESR-2/)

Co-development with stakeholders improved support for EBFM

]

.pull-right-70[]

.footnote[
Source: [Seara et al. 2024](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304101) Fig. 5 Drivers and Receivers
]

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*  Linkages across agency jurisdictions--basis for improved collaboration
*  Expert knowledge used to prioritize research

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## Learning from the Councils: Diverse Ecosystem Approaches

**1. FMP/Indicator-Based (North Pacific, Pacific, Mid-Atlantic, New England)** 
- High-value, data-rich stocks with complex assessments 
- Annual ecosystem reports, indicators can inform assessments 
- Risk tables and uncertainty frameworks integrate ecosystem considerations 
- Non-regulatory Fishery Ecosystem Plans (FEPs) provide actionable pathways

**2. FEP/Geography-Based (Western Pacific, Caribbean)** 
- Human community connections to complex and data-limited fisheries 
- Place-based ecosystem or fishery management plans serve as operational management documents 
- Co-developed with stakeholders reflecting distinct regional conditions 
- Ecosystem considerations embedded in management structure

**3. Developing Approaches (South Atlantic, Gulf)** 
- Recreational fishery dominance with fewer assessments relative to managed species 
- Species-based FMPs with expanding ecosystem integration 
- South Atlantic links Essential Fish Habitat with ecosystem efforts 
- Gulf developing Fishery Ecosystem Issues as action-oriented framework

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## Common Management Concerns

.pull-left[
**Forage Fish**: Multiple Councils have implemented protections for unmanaged forage species or developed harvest control rules accounting for ecosystem services.
]
.pull-right[
**Climate Change**: All regions are addressing rapid ecosystem changes. Data-rich systems with long-term ecosystem reporting have experienced unexpected stock collapses, highlighting the need for climate-ready management approaches.
]

## Common Challenges

**Complexity of Ecosystem Information**: Council staff emphasize the need to provide information in "digestible packets," with clear linkages to management processes and decisions.

**Resource constraints**: Even data-rich regions identify capacity limitations for integrating ecosystem information into management.

**Stakeholder perceptions**: In some regions, considering ecosystem information is viewed as only increasing restrictions, rather than expanding opportunities.

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## Where to next?

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### Complexity

![My PhD](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/PhDFlyer.png)

]

.pull-right[
### Digestible complexity?

![AAAS comms](https://www.aaas.org/sites/default/files/styles/media_ref/public/2018-10/AAAS-Center-for-Public-Engagement-Different-Styles-of-Communication-Triangles_0.png?itok=MsmS-eRJ)

![:img Carib consensus model, 80%](https://github.com/sgaichas/SAFMCindicators/raw/main/docs/images/CaribConsensusModel.png)

.footnote[
See https://www.aaas.org/resources/communication-toolkit, [Seara et al. 2024](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304101)
]
]

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## Where to next?

.pull-left[
### Open source, reproducible data and science

![Mandy's slide](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/MandyKarnauskas_OpenScienceESR.png)

Addresses resource constraints and helps future you!
]

.pull-right[
### Traveling Together on a Two Way Street

Collaborative development of problem statements, analyses, conceptual models, model scenarios, and indicators with fishers, managers, and scientists.

![Brandons Paper](https://github.com/sgaichas/HSpresentations/raw/main/docs/images/MuffleyNoIinEAFM.png)

Capitalize on opportunities as well as increasing precaution.

"EBFM is slow, iterative, and messy." But worth it.

]

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1. **Iterative Co-Development**: Ecosystem reports have been restructured with Council feedback in several regions, enhancing report utility. Most FEPs emphasize collaborative development of problem statements, analyses, conceptual models, model scenarios, and indicators with fishers, managers, and scientists.

2. **Risk-Based Frameworks**: North Pacific, Pacific, New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean are developing or have implemented indicator-based risk assessments to adjust catch advice and/or to support strategic decisions.

3. **Actionable FEPs**: "Action modules" (North Pacific), "Initiatives" (Pacific), and "Fishery Ecosystem Issues" (Gulf) provide structured pathways from fishery ecosystem plans to management action for specific, Council-selected issues.

4. **Multi-scale Ecosystem Information**: Regular reporting at the ecosystem scale provides context for decisions and familiarity with ecosystem data. Stock-specific ecosystem reports link environmental drivers to individual stock productivity for use in stock assessment and catch specification. A structured dialogue process between ecosystem and stock assessment scientists is producing similar stock-level information in the Pacific.

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# Maintaining our momentum: Collaborating on ecosystem approaches with managers
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# How do we use this? Merging ecosystem information and management decisions
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# Providing scientific advice: advice for scientists
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# Five things I did this week
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</div>

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# Thoughts? Questions?

# Thank you!
]

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.pull-right-30[
.footnote[
.right[
Slides at https://sgaichas.github.io/HSpresentations 
Contact: <sgaichas@hydrascientificllc.com>
]
]
]

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