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Home , Ocean fisheries, Pebble, Sustainable fishery, The Blob (Pacific Ocean)

Fisheries for the future Foreword Table of contents

Climate change threatens key life support systems of our planet — What will it take to secure healthy in the face of and the is no different. Even with powerful actions to reduce ? 3 emissions and massive investments to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, changes in the ocean will grow more profound and ac- Will best practices need to adapt as climate celerate. These changes won’t just damage special places like change impacts the ocean? 9 reefs and swamps, but will fundamentally alter ocean eco- systems, impacting abundance and where they can be caught. This will affect the ocean’s ability to feed the growing human popula- Can looking to the future help preserve a historical against tion and threaten the livelihoods of fishermen and others who depend climate change? 13 on the “blue” economy. The impacts will be worst in the developing tropics, where the most ocean-dependent and vulnerable How can building and strengthening international institutions help are concentrated — as well as crucial hotspots. achieve climate-resilient fisheries? 18

But with thoughtful interventions, these impacts can be significantly reduced, and perhaps even reversed. This series, “Fisheries for the Why is Bristol ’s run so resilient? 23 Future,” examines the interventions necessary for sustainable fish- eries in a climate-driven world. As the series makes clear, we know How can coral be resilient to climate change? 28 today what most needs to be done: emplacing sustainable fisheries management around the world as we also work to reduce and then offset emissions. These fisheries challenges will require novel solu- The return of the blob: How can we help fisheries adapt to warming tions — with a greater emphasis on joint management of shifting fish waters? 32 stocks — but also approaches that protect vulnerable people and ecosystems, especially in the developing tropics. Achieving effective and equitable outcomes may require investments from the developed Climate-resilient fisheries require fairness and equity 35 world to compensate for the damage created by climate change. Building fisheries for the future 42 The health of our planet, and its ability to meet growing human needs, requires attention — starting right now. We know many of the right things to do, and we must adapt our strategies to truly plan for fisher- ies for the future.

resilientseas.org FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE isheries are a globally-important source of jobs and income and critically important for the Fand nutrition of some of the most impoverished What will it take people on the planet. This is increasingly the case as human populations continue to grow. Managing fisheries well is also an important aspect of health, to secure healthy as well-managed fisheries help contribute to vibrant and abundant ecosystems. Climate change is already affecting fish populations and will scramble these systems fisheries in the face in ways not fully understood. This poses a risk to fisheries, the people who depend on them for their livelihoods and the continued ecological abundance and diversity that we of climate change? hold dear.

We know impacts on fisheries from climate change will Merrick Burden occur — and these impacts are likely to become more severe as we experience the effects of warming already baked into the system. So what needs to change in the face of climate change in order that fisheries can continue to feed people and provide jobs? How can fisheries managers better protect marine ecosystems, ocean wildlife and biodiversity as climate change puts greater stress on the ? What should be done to help fisheries transition as climate change takes hold? These are some of the questions policymakers and communities are asking as ocean systems continue to change, and which we’ll cover in our blog series.

As we think about what fishery management needs to look like in the future, a few core points are clear.

We must not abandon the fundamentals of good fishery management in the face of climate change.

This means we should not abandon concepts of maximum sustained yield and ecosystem-based fishery management. However, what the application of these fishery management foundations look like may be

3 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 4 different, and what we need to management. Shifting fish We must maintain do in order to implement them stocks as a result of climate the health of marine will require a different set of change will require much more ecosystems to build tactics. Fisheries have always international cooperation and healthy fisheries in had to deal with change — that will raise important issues of the future. is the nature of wild populations equity between developed and and the ocean itself — so some lesser-developed countries. resilience robust approaches for dealing We have already seen how a ensures ecosystems can handle with change have already lack of effective cooperation shocks and disturbances — been developed and used can lead to and even those that are unexpected. successfully. However, climate stock declines among countries Research and practice outlines change will introduce new kinds with otherwise good domestic a clear set of steps that socio- of challenges, requiring us to management, such as the recent ecological systems can do in address a different suite of risks goals accordingly. This means experience in Northern Europe order to build resilience. than we are accustomed to. that we need to acknowledge over Atlantic . Here a Take the salmon of Bristol Bay, And, it will require us to be much that much of what we imagine shift in the geographic location Alaska, often described as one of more focused on some aspects as a healthy fishery is based on of mackerel to the north and the greatest migrations of wildlife of conservation and governance observations of the past that will west brought Iceland and the on the planet. In this ecosystem, compared to what we do today. be increasingly irrelevant, and Faroe into the fishery complexity, system we will need to establish new due to increased abundance diversity and management have We must understand that expectations, goals, benchmarks in their waters. Disagreements worked to support a highly we should not forget the and standards that are relevant to about how to share the harvest productive ecosystem — even in lessons we have learned a changing world. To get there we of the mackerel stock between spite of several disturbances and so far, but a sustainable will need to help each other — all relative newcomers, the EU, and shocks over the decades. future cannot be built on involved in the fishing community Norway led to overfishing and the practices of the past. — imagine what is possible in a a loss of that fishery’s seafood Another example is the impacts climate-changed future and what certification. to tropical around the Over the past several decades it takes to get there. When it comes to international world. The world’s coral reefs are we have learned a great deal cooperation, fostering the experiencing profound changes about what it takes to manage We must develop and willingness of countries to and impacts as a result of a fisheries well. Some of these embrace new tools and work together will require that changing climate, with recent lessons have come painfully, and approaches. decisions over shared resources estimates indicating that half we are admittedly still recovering strongly consider principles of To create a sustainable of the Great Barrier Reef was from some prior mistakes. We fairness equity in order to ensure future, we will need to get decimated by bleaching events in must continue to heed these willingness among cooperating better at aspects of fisheries 2016 and 2017. However, recent lessons and not forget them, but parties. we also need to allow ourselves management we struggle with coral research gives us hope that today. This is particularly the some strains of coral can resist to reimagine what fisheries of the case for international fisheries high ocean , making future can look like, and set our

5 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 6 Finally, there is much to reduce our emissions. If we we do not know about can do so and also rise to the climate change and the fishery management challenges many risks we will need to by implementing the actions manage. described above, research and experience show that fisheries In order to deal with unexpected can continue to produce jobs, events that will undoubtedly yield high amounts of food occur, we will need to get production and help ensure better at implementing more ocean ecosystems maintain responsive and nimble adaptive abundant life. To ensure the most management. This includes sustainable future for ourselves management systems and policy and our planet, reimagining our decision-making processes that world amid climate change — are more nimble, but also tools and becoming more resilient in that allow the the process — is key. it clear that genetic diversity is instability and public rejection to be more flexible and adapt to a key component to resilience of policies that may otherwise changing fishing opportunities in the face of climate change. be sustainable. In Chile, on their own as unexpected Biological and genetic diversity recent decisions concerning events occur. Other forms of are crucial to making sure management of a resource risks and uncertainty are more species that can take advantage that were perceived as unfair identifiable. For example, we of a changed world are given the led to large demonstrations know that climate change will opportunity to do so. And good and public rejection of a policy alter productivity — and hence fisheries management can very that would have otherwise the — of fish likely help retard the impacts of been deemed sustainable. stocks. However, we do not have climate on reef ecosystems. Chilean policymakers have a good sense of when these since remedied the situation, changes will occur, how quickly We must address inequity but this case is just one example and what the magnitude of the to achieve our goals. demonstrating the importance of change will be. Management fairness and equity. By striving tools are available that can help Addressing issues of inequity to avoid the creation of winners with these types of uncertainties, is necessary for many reasons, and losers in the face of climate such as ramped harvest control including making sure societies change, we can help ensure that rules that tie fishing rate to are cohesive and can work society is better able to adapt changes in . These together constructively to make and embrace the changes we tools have proven to be robust to necessary adaptations. History need to make. climate change uncertainties. shows us that the lack of equity can cause problems like social To be clear, society must act

7 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 8 octors say a healthy patient is better able to recover from an injury than an unhealthy one. As our col- Dleagues at the University of British Columbia point Will fisheries out, this is similar to healthy marine ecosystems, where a healthy ecosystem is better able to withstand the effects of climate change compared to an unhealthy one. Man- management best aging fisheries right is one of the most important factors for addressing marine ecosystem health. In this blog we will talk about fishery management best practices and practices need to their importance in the face of climate change, how those practices may look different as a result of climate-related factors and some recent experiences with fisheries in adapt as climate Lithuania.

Over the last few decades we have learned what it takes to change impacts manage fisheries well and have worked with fishing com- munities around the world to develop robust management plans that are yielding positive results for fish populations the ocean? and fishing communities. Some of the elements of fisheries Merrick Burden management best practice include:

1. Scientifically determined catch limits 2. Well-defined rights of access 3. Systems of accountability 4. Transparent decision-making processes 5. Adequate enforcement provisions 6. Measures that conserve important

Fisheries can play an outsized role in shaping the health of marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them

Ecosystems with well-managed fisheries tend to be characterized by abundant , intact habitats, thriving wildlife populations and robust fishing

FVNORTHWESTERN/FLICKR communities. Inversely, poorly-managed fisheries tend to have high rates of overfishing and habitat damage, and the

9 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 10 surrounding ecosystem suffers. and should be done with an eye explosion in the populations quota portfolios rather than This matters in the face of climate toward continued improvements of other species like sprat. The individual species quotas (or change as healthier ecosystems in that system over time. implication of this change in even a bundle of individual are in a better position to relative abundance has been quotas). In other words, rather withstand climate change effects As climate change increasingly severe economic strain on than a case where each vessel due to abundance, diversity, takes hold, elements of fisheries fishermen while their sprat- has individual quota for cod, habitat quality and other factors management best practice fishing counterparts experienced individual quota for sprat and that comprise attributes of won’t go away. We will still need some incredibly lucrative years. so forth, a quota portfolio would resilience. to prevent overfishing; we will This divergence of economic allocate each vessel shares of still need to protect habitats; outcomes that has been the entire fishery. If a vessel held Research bears out the we will still need to manage occurring despite the presence 3% of the fishery, then each year relationship between fisheries with well-defined access of a good management system that vessel would receive 3% of fishery management and and user rights; and so forth. was causing political tension the sustainable catch of cod, ecosystem health However, the way in which we that threatened an otherwise sprat and other species. In this deploy these practices may start sustainable system. way, vessels would be diversified A recent review of different to look different given the way and less prone to suffer from fisheries was done as part of climate change will disrupt our What the Lithuanian fishery wide swings in abundance the IndiSeas project which ecological and social systems. sector is experiencing is wholly of individual species due to measured ecosystem health, consistent with patterns that will ecological conditions. What fisheries management and Collaborating with fishery play out around the world as this looks like at the end of the governance. One place that managers in Lithuania on climate change takes hold. That day is still an example of fishery scored high on ecosystem health changing fish populations is, some fish stocks will become management best practice — is the west of the U.S. — more abundant, others less scientifically determined catch One example concerns a place where Environmental abundant, and this will impact limits, well-defined access rights Lithuania’s fishery sector. Not Defense Fund (EDF) has worked different portions of the fishery and other measures. They just long ago, a couple of us at EDF intensively for the last couple of differently. These dynamics will look a bit different. decades to help get management were contacted by officials create challenges for managers right. Inversely, places with low within the Lithuanian Fisheries and stakeholders as they grapple Of course, we will want to do our ecosystem health scores (such Department. Many fisheries with these changing conditions best to implement these types of as Tanzania and Guinea) tended there are managed by a system and struggle to ensure that solutions before problems arise to be places where fisheries of individual quotas which outcomes are equitable in the rather than after. This means that management and governance help manage the catch of cod, face of these changes. we will need to do our best to also scored low. Now, not every sprat and other stocks off the anticipate the types of change region of the world is in a place Lithuanian coast in the Baltic So, what is the answer to that climate change will bring and where robust implementation of Sea. Lithuania’s fishery managers Lithuania’s dilemma? to identify and manage for the these best practices is possible. contacted us because they were types of challenges that will arise. In such cases, implementation grappling with a precipitous One solution we were able to This is the topic of our next blog of basic fishery management is decline in the populations of identify with our Lithuanian in this series. Stay tuned! still one of the best steps to take, Baltic cod and a subsequent colleagues is the allocation of

11 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 12 n New England, as in many other parts of the world that rely on fishing for food and income, there is a growing Ineed to predict and adapt to climate change as it Can looking worsens. One of the most important aspects of dealing with climate change is to look ahead and put in place goals, objectives, scientific research and management to the future practices that are responsive to future conditions. As we anticipate a climate-altered future, we will continue to value healthy ecosystems and the benefits derived from help preserve a fisheries. However, healthy ecosystems and sustainable fisheries of the future may be very different from what we are used to. The ability of the oceans to support thriving historical fishery ecosystems and fishing communities will depend heavily on actions we take today. against climate The New England groundfish fishery New England’s storied groundfish fishery, which targets change? cod, , a variety of flatfishes and other bottom- dwelling predators, is among the oldest fisheries in the . It was once said that a could Jake Kritzer walk across the waters of New England on the backs of the formerly plentiful cod, which fueled the regional economy following European settlement. The fishery also created a rich maritime heritage that continues to this day. That fishing heritage first belonged to the Native American peoples who long pre-dated colonization. Today, preserving this iconic fishery and the economy and culture it has built will require looking forward to an ocean evolving under a changing climate.

Fish on the move

The of Maine and , the complex basin and shallow underwater plateau that together have been the foundation of our regional fisheries, sit at the far southwestern edge of the range of many Northern Atlantic species. Historically, these have been coldwater ecosystems, albeit at latitudes that are typically much

13 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 14 warmer elsewhere, due to the bounded by Ann and Cape along the coast of Maine offshore However, some winter flounder Labrador delivering frigid Cod. Elsewhere, overfishing has from Penobscot Bay. That refuge are known to spawn in offshore polar waters southward from the caused near-complete localized is helping protect important areas as well. This means the . However, this corner of the extinction. Although warming habitats and can enable fledgling stock as a whole might have the Northwest Atlantic now finds itself waters are already decreasing spawning groups to grow and ability to counteract reduced warming faster than almost any the productivity of cod, spreading possibly serve as a source of inshore spawning success, to other ocean area on Earth. These the stock more widely across replenishment to areas elsewhere some degree, by capitalizing on warming waters are causing the Gulf of Maine could increase in the Gulf of Maine. deeper and increasingly colder rapid shifts in the distribution of resilience relative to today’s waters. The effect of this life many species, generally to the much more restricted distribution Climate change is history diversity on productivity north and offshore, seeking their by hedging bets against localized the source of much is but one of many scientific preferred water temperatures. declines. Important efforts to uncertainty — uncertainties we must confront restore coastal prey that examining life histories of in managing the stock, among Thus, species we normally cod feed on, especially sea-run popular fish other uncertainties related to associate with the Mid-Atlantic , are helping to give cod climate change and incomplete region — bass, a chance where they have been Of the 20 stocks included in the accounting of just how many fish summer flounder, striped bass lost. groundfish fishery, most live are being caught. Untangling and others — are expected to primarily away from , with these uncertainties and applying continue to move north and Forward-looking some inhabiting the deepest our findings to forward-looking become more abundant in New habitat management — trenches of the Gulf of Maine. But management strategies will not England as colder water species anticipating changes in one unique species, the winter or be easy, but there are steps push northward. Fishermen in fish populations blackback flounder, historically we can take in anticipation of New England will see a shifting moved inshore to spawning and changes that will come. mix of species nearest their If cod return to those areas, they nursery grounds in and docks as warming progresses. will need time to re-establish. even salt ponds in the wintertime. Climate uncertainty and Governance patterns must also That process will be more Key habitats in those areas, responsive fishing rates change to manage for the shifting complicated in a changing including salt marshes, eelgrass — aligning good policy to portfolios of stocks that no longer ecosystem, for the nature beds and reefs, are biology of stocks represent historical management of seafloor habitats, water especially susceptible to effects decisions. temperatures, surrounding fish of climate change as sea levels One of the central elements of and species and rise, waters warm and storms any fishery management strategy Climate change is making other ecosystem attributes intensify. is a harvest control rule, or HCR, Atlantic cod recovery difficult, will be different from what cod which typically determines how but this geographical shift might once knew. It was therefore with These habitat changes, among many fish can be caught based actually have some benefits for laudable foresight that the New other impacts, mean that winter on how many fish there are in the the future of the species. For England Fishery Management flounder are expected to suffer water. An HCR is arguably where many years, cod have become Council and National Marine especially strong declines in science most directly confronts concentrated in a small pocket Fisheries Service together productivity due to climate policy in fisheries management, in the western Gulf of Maine created a fishery closed area change. as it reveals a great deal about

15 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 16 the objectives of the fishery, reforms. Indeed, neighboring policy requirements, scientific fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic understanding and uncertainties region have implemented this and risk tolerance. In many very approach. GORLA/FLICKR DAVIDE How can building fisheries, the HCR is simply to fish at a fixed but precautionary New England can have rate of fishing mortality that abundant fisheries and strengthening strikes a balance between achieving high yields when the For those of us who call New stock is large, but not overfishing England home, the groundfish international when the stock is smaller. Such fishery has sculpted our a “fixed-F” approach can be waterfronts, history, folklore effective when productivity and cuisine. It can remain an institutions help fluctuates around an average indelible part of our region, as level, as is the norm in any long as we look to the future ecological system, but does not while we embrace the past. achieve climate change in a consistent direction. The ecosystem will function differently as climate change But species that are expected continues to unfold and we resilient fisheries? to decrease or increase must anticipate and prepare consistently, like winter flounder, for that future. Strategic use of break this rule, which means a protected areas and responsive Kristin M. Kleisner different approach is needed. harvest policies, alongside other When facing climate-driven actions like recovery of prey fish declines in productivity that and improved monitoring to track are exacerbated by scientific changes and impacts, can help us uncertainty, the HCR must be keep pace with a changing ocean. more responsive. Even if we do not understand all of the Although climate effects on New biological changes taking place, England’s ocean are especially fishing mortality should decrease strong, we know that these in real time as we detect declines impacts are occurring around in the stock and can then rise the world. In next week’s blog, again with evidence of recovery. we’ll delve into building and Such an approach is not yet used strengthening international in the New England groundfish institutions to allow for fishery, but could be adopted collaboration between countries much more readily than other as the fish they rely on change in more complex management abundance and distribution.

17 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 18 istory is written in no small reworked to ensure these stocks how to manage that shared stock sanctions over its take of mack- part through the conflicts are managed sustainably. Given sustainably. However, partly due erel — a clear sign that tensions Hover shared resources the world’s limited success to to a warming ocean, the mackerel over this resource are far from between neighboring countries, date at international fisheries drifted north and west from over. as each party tries to maintain its management, one key question their historic grounds. By 2007, share of the pie. But in the ocean, we should ask is: how do we get fishermen in Iceland were also The “mackerel wars” are just one these issues tend to be exac- better at working cooperatively? catching mackerel in relatively example of shifts in the distri- erbated. One of the key ocean large numbers. bution of fish stocks causing resources is fish, which are out of We will discuss how a dramat- significant challenges for fisher- sight and mobile, swimming long ic shift in the location of one As Iceland increased its catch ies managers on an international distances to find optimal breed- fish species resulted in a “fish of mackerel, the countries that scale. Similar examples can be ing or feeding grounds. Now, with war” that engulfed the north- historically caught the species found in other places around the rapidly warming ocean waters east Atlantic. We will contrast sought to maintain their same world, and these shifts (and the due to climate change, the stakes this management failure with a share of the harvest pie. They resulting challenges) are only are even higher as fish shift out successful international man- maintained catch rates similar going to become more frequent of areas where they’ve tradition- agement scheme and discuss to historic levels while Iceland as climate change continues to ally been found, often crossing the factors that appear to have unilaterally increased its catches. warm ocean waters. Countries international boundaries. made that effort successful. The This resulted in an increase in need to proactively work to build goal is to illuminate lessons from overall catch, overfishing of the agreements that can accom- But there is a path out of con- these experiences in order to resource and the loss of that fish- modate shifting locations of fish flict and toward sustainability. help make future cooperative ery’s Marine Council stocks. Fortunately, there are Ideally, discrete populations of efforts a success — so people (MSC) sustainability certification successful models that can help fish — called “stocks” — that and nature can prosper together. in 2012. Not long thereafter, the guide these efforts. swim in the waters of two or The health of ecosystems and the EU began to threaten Iceland more countries will be coopera- livelihoods and food security for with trade sanctions over its take tively managed by those coun- millions of people are at stake. of mackerel, and the conflict es- Pacific — tries to ensure the sustainable calated, with each side blaming What happens when and equitable harvest of those The Mackerel Wars — the other. The threat of sanctions countries collaborate fish throughout their range. In What happens when ultimately resulted in Iceland in real time practice, the world’s success at agreements don’t reflect reducing its take of mackerel, managing stocks across inter- reality on the water which resulted in MSC recertifi- While Pacific are national borders is mixed at best cation in 2016. However, despite widely distributed throughout — and climate change will make Until the early 2000s, an some progress in returning the the western and central Pacific this even harder as stocks move abundance of Atlantic mackerel fishery to sustainability, overfish- Ocean, most of the catch occurs to find waters more to their liking. was centered in waters divided ing of the mackerel resource and in the waters of eight Pacific As stocks enter new jurisdictions, among the European Union, conflict among users continues. countries (Micronesia, new agreements will need to be Norway and the Faroe Islands, MSC certification was suspended Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, created and existing internation- and agreements were in place in 2019, and the EU has again Nauru, Palau, Papua New al agreements will need to be among these countries regarding threatened Iceland with trade Guinea, the Solomon Islands

19 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 20 and Tuvalu). Alone, each of that may have nothing to do with fense Fund is doing with fishery these countries would have fish. So, why have international science agencies in Chile, Peru little ability to manage skipjack agreements been successful and Ecuador, covered in a recent tuna in a sustainable fashion. here and not in other parts of the blog post. However, these countries elected world? There are many fac- to band together under the tors that determine whether an Building international Nauru Agreement, collectively international agreement will be agreements that work managing skipjack tuna in their successful, including: exclusive economic zones, or As climate change causes EEZs, which together encompass • All parties to the agreement fish distributions to shift an immense geographic area that gain from cooperation; poleward, strong stock-sharing covers a significant proportion • The principles of fairness arrangements like the PNA of the range of Pacific skipjack and equity guide decisions will be increasingly important tuna. This provides them with about allocation and access; around the world. By working enough leverage to sustainably • The parties have similar together, Pacific Island countries manage the fishery together. The goals in terms of stock and have been able to promote the Parties to the Nauru Agreement yield size; and sustainable fishing of skipjack (known to many as the PNA) • The parties have a com- tuna in the Pacific. limit fishing effort on skipjack mon understanding of the tuna and do so in a way aligned science concerning stocks of Building international coopera- with scientific advice. They also interest. tion to sustainably harvest stocks follow other elements of fishery as they shift across EEZs will be management best practice, such These elements must often a challenge. However, there are as well-defined user rights and be built sequentially, such as examples of successful agree- accountability. The result is a starting with the development of ments based on strong science well-managed fishery that has baseline scientific information where parties promote practic- been certified as sustainable by about the fishery and changes in es that foster trust and buy-in the Marine Stewardship Council. the environment that affect it and among themselves and with new a shared understanding of that entrants to the system. These ex- While the PNA provides an exam- knowledge among the respective amples give us guidance in build- ple of an international agreement scientific agencies of different ing fair and equitable allocations that is working to promote the countries. Without this common and access arrangements, which sustainable fishing of a shared understanding, it can be difficult will help ameliorate the negative resource, these types of arrange- for countries to make progress effects of climate change on ments are unfortunately not com- negotiating the management of fisheries so fish and people can monplace around the world. In shared stocks. One example of be more resilient and realize a fact, in many places, reaching a the development of this type of prosperous future. working agreement is hampered shared knowledge base is the by international disagreements work that Environmental De-

21 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 22 ristol Bay, Alaska, supports the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world. The annual Bis often described as one of the greatest wildlife mi- Why is Bristol Bay’s grations on Earth. This salmon run has a large economic impact, generating over $280 million directly to fishermen and supporting about 14,000 seafood-related jobs. This salmon run so is in addition to the important subsistence and cultural role it plays for many communities in the region. Bristol Bay salmon have remained abundant for over a century resilient? despite intensive fishing and climate change. Why?

Diversity matters a lot for the resilience of salmon stocks Rod Fujita and Merrick Burden and fisheries. Five major drain into Bristol Bay, and each system contains a number of tributaries with high levels of habitat complexity. There are also five dis- tinct salmon species that return to the system at various times of the year. Within each species and river system, there are many genetically distinct subpopulations. This diversity in habitats, run timing and genetics seems to be critical for hedging against catastrophic declines in salmon abundance.

In the Bristol Bay watershed, natural disturbances occur fairly frequently. Trees and rocks fall into rivers, altering small patches of habitat. Earthquakes and floods change large swaths of habitat pretty dramatically. Very high temperatures have been recorded in some habitat patch- es, perhaps reflecting climate change impacts. In some cases, certain habitats don’t change much in response to disturbance, but in other cases habitat quality — and hence salmon survivorship and abundance — has de- clined drastically within habitats. Sometimes, an entire river system becomes less amenable to salmon produc- tion and so the run size decreases in that river. Neverthe- less, regardless of the scale of disturbance, the system as a whole — and the salmon within it — has remained very productive.

One factor that contributes to the ecological resilience

23 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 24 goals (the number of fish that run is very salient and observable of this system seems to be that the natural processes that shape must escape the fishery and by all, providing feedback to the habitat patches undergo diversity and productivity in the return to inland habitats to spawn fishery stakeholders about the change and adaptation naturally. system. However, recent devel- each year in order to maintain de- efficacy of management and their For instance, habitat areas will opments at the federal level have sired yields over the long term). own fishing practices. There is accumulate materials and energy drastically increased the risk of also a collective memory of the and become relatively stable. mine development in spite of Alaska strives to achieve its salm- overfishing, stock depletion and This is followed by a disturbance local opposition. Such a develop- on sustainability goals fishery collapses resulting from of some kind (earthquake, high ment poses an enormous risk to in several ways. They use habitat a more shortsighted manage- water, etc.) and a subsequent the continued ability of the Bristol carrying capacity models, set es- ment approach enacted prior to release of the accumulated Bay ecosystem to support the capement goals, project popula- statehood in 1959. The fact that materials and energy. The system abundance of salmon we have tion size, monitor the exploitable the current management system then reorganizes itself — some- come to know and expect. population in real time, engage in focuses on salmon escapement times basically the same habitat in- management mea- is associated with abundant runs reappears in the same place Notwithstanding the threat posed sures, adjust season length, limit for decades following statehood. and sometimes new habitats are by a development like the Pebble effort and make other changes to This helped engender faith and created elsewhere. Importantly, Mine project, the Bristol Bay wa- control fishing mortality. trust in the current management the habitat patches undergo tershed is managed primarily to system and contributed to the these cycles at different times. maintain natural processes and This comprehensive manage- enshrinement of these manage- Of equal importance is the lack structures to support the salmon ment strategy requires the ment principles in the state’s of anthropogenic stresses (other run and the associated fishery, capacity to plan, project into the constitution. than climate change) that disrupt which is the main source of em- future, monitor performance of the natural processes that form ployment, revenue, culture and the fishery and rapidly adjust The ecological resilience of the habitat and give rise to the com- sustenance for the entire region. management measures — all Bristol Bay system appears to plexity, diversity and variation hallmarks of a management sys- be related to the high degree necessary for resilience. It is possible that there are sev- tem that helps foster resilience. of genetic diversity within the eral trade-offs associated with It also reflects some degree of salmon meta-population, habitat It would be impossible for hu- this kind of management. One humility and an acknowledge- patchiness and un-synchronized mans to manage the extremely trade-off might be high volatility ment of the limits of predictabil- adaptive cycles that occur within heterogeneous habitat patches in some places in exchange for ity, meaning that management the habitat patches. Policy- that make up the habitat mosa- the resilience of the salmon pop- measures are not set based just makers add to the resilience ic of the Bristol Bay watershed ulation as a whole. For example, on model projections, but rather of the system by ensuring that better than nature does. Instead, in 2018 Lake Beverly (only 0.01% on a combination of projections salmon management focuses the state and local communities of global salmon habitat) pro- and real-time fish counts. on sufficient numbers of salmon oppose activities that would duced 13% of global wild salmon returning each year to spawn, reduce heterogeneity (, yield. Other trade-offs exist There are several other aspects rather than on maximizing yield. dams, levees, etc.) and habitat where some salmon yield may of this social-ecological system There is widespread trust in this quality. The community is united be forgone when fishery restric- that may contribute to its resil- management approach due to in resisting development (like the tions are put in place in order to ience. The strength of the salmon recent successes and a memory Pebble Mine) that would disrupt meet upriver salmon escapement

25 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 26 of early fishery failures due to more shortsighted approaches. Our experience here gives us one example of what ecosystem How can resilience looks like, and how that resilience can be supported by the people who depend on the ecosystems be resource most.

Stay tuned for more stories of resilient to climate fisheries resilience in this series. We are looking forward to work- ing with stakeholders to help change? ensure that future fisheries and fishing communities are resilient to climate change. Robert Boenish KENDRA KARR

27 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 28 oral reefs are highly vul- Recent research gives us fish, like parrotfish. Often when a aware of species interactions nerable to climate change some hope for coral reefs reef experiences a disturbance, such as these is one aspect of Cand are already experi- harmful algae displaces and resilience practice, and in this encing mass and These findings are encouraging outcompetes coral. In Bonaire, case, the solution is to reverse die-off events worldwide. It’s no because they go against the fishing regulations and pro- this feedback loop in order to secret that coral reefs need our common that future tections have ensured a large help facilitate coral reef recovery. help. Recent estimates indicate generations will only be able This is done by ensuring healthy that half of the Great Barrier Reef to experience these natural populations of herbivorous fish. was decimated by bleaching treasures through photos and events in 2016 and 2017. This videos from a bygone era. Even in the Caribbean, Bonaire trend is alarming on many levels. is not alone in its mission of work- Coral reefs are a hotbed of This research focuses on the ing toward managed ecosystem biodiversity and abundance, and island of Bonaire, which is lauded resilience. There are a variety coral reef fisheries are critically as one of the last healthy coral of ways to address these types important to the livelihood and reefs in the Caribbean. It is no ac- of feedbacks and to maintain food security concerns of millions cident that reef species here have ecological balance through of people — many of whom live managed to proliferate even after implementation of different types in developing countries. significant environmental distur- of fishery management prac- PAUL ASMAN/FLICKR bances like warming waters and tices. In several places where In the face of climate change, coral disease. Our results show abundance of parrotfish, a Environmental Defense Fund the question becomes: Are that smart fishing regulations species that actively serves as (EDF) works, such as in Belize there ways we can improve the and environmental protections an algae hedge trimmer. In other and Cuba, spatial protections resilience of tropical reef systems have contributed to the island’s words, coral recovery in Bonaire and other measures are being so they can withstand or adapt to almost unparalleled ability to occurred following hurricane and deployed in ways that main- changing ocean conditions? In recover from these large envi- bleaching events in part because tain populations of important this post we’ll talk about some re- ronmental disturbances. Several the presence of herbivores like herbivores. The health of these cent research we’ve co-authored years ago, coral cover in Bonaire parrotfish kept harmful algae in systems indicates that they too with the University of Maine and dropped by nearly 25% following check. are displaying resilience. In University of California, Santa damage from a hurricane and a these Latin American-Caribbean Barbara that gives us some hope coral bleaching event. However, What could this mean for countries, the use of spatial mea- for coral reef ecosystems. This after less than a decade, corals other coral reefs? sures and other types of fishery research shows how coral reef had recovered to pre-bleaching management approaches are systems have been made more levels — something very unique The dynamic between being deployed in ways that can resilient in the Caribbean and compared to other places in the herbivorous fish and climate enhance reef resilience. indicates that fisheries manage- Caribbean. change uncovered in Bonaire ment has a strong role to play in is a feedback mechanism. In the Garden of the Queens in fostering this resilience. One of the biggest factors for Unmanaged fishing and climate Cuba, fishing communities re- Bonaire’s ecosystem resilience change together can be perilous cently enacted a sustainable fish- is the abundance of herbivorous to coral reef ecosystems. Being ing law that is poised to advance

29 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 30 Cuba’s goals of protecting its coral reef ecosystems. Building natural environment for more fish resilience of highly vulnerable in the future, more fishing jobs ecosystems can help — but only and prosperous marine ecosys- so much. In the face of some The return of the tems including coral reefs. Cuba limited disturbances, these has set aside more than 250 experiences show that coral reefs natural reserves spanning over can be made more resilient, and blob: How can 20% of its territory. One of the fishing practices have a large most spectacular reef systems in role to play. We will continue Cuba, the Garden of the Queens working with fishing communities we help fisheries is one of Cuba’s natural reserves. around the world to apply and The implementation of reserve adapt these lessons learned in status has resulted in a substan- the Caribbean to other coral reef adapt to warming tial increase in the abundance ecosystems. of fish species and the system is displaying greater resilience waters? than other systems around the Caribbean. Rod Fujita In Belize, the nationwide system of managed access resulted in higher fish catch for fishermen while reducing illegal fishing by 60% and expanding marine protected areas (MPAs) from 3% to 10%. Coral reefs the world over also have potential to recover if local communities are able to identify and manage the threats they can control, including fishing pressure, pollution and .

While these examples give us some hope for coral reef ecosys- tems, we must be clear that the global community needs to reign in our emissions if the oceans of the future will support thriving

31 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 32 here’s a lot we don’t know warm blob while it was forming no matter what we do because toring system is in place, and ex- about how climate change this year. This could help natu- of past emissions and reductions perts have been convened to in- Twill unfold. Unexpected ral resource managers and the in carbon sinks, so we have to terpret the data. It remains to be events will occur, and when they fishing industry plan and adapt in work toward solutions within our seen whether the other elements do we will need to adapt and real-time. current reality. for successful adaptation will be learn from those experiences. put into place. Will resource man- Here’s a story about one of these Even better, the National Oceanic The best way to do that is to mon- agers take the monitoring data climate surprises: the “warm and Atmospheric Administration itor, interpret data, plan ahead into account when setting regu- blob” in the Pacific Ocean. has convened a group of experts and adapt. Even the best mon- lations? Will stakeholders buy in Scientists observed a warm blob to interpret the monitoring data itoring data are useless unless to those regulations and comply of water forming off the U.S. and provide advice to working people who understand the data with them? Will the regulations West Coast in September, five groups of fishermen, fishery and ocean ecosystems interpret be regularly evaluated in order years to the month after a similar managers and others that formed them and provide guidance to to make them better and more blob wreaked havoc on marine along the West Coast in response stakeholders and managers. And responsive to more changes in ecosystems and fisheries in this to the first blob. then, of course, managers have the ocean? The stakes are high, region. It’s enormous, stretching to promulgate regulations that given the wide-ranging impacts from southern California all the This illustrates the first steps take projected changes in the of warm blobs. way to Alaska. When the first blob toward responsible adaptation ocean into account; stakeholders formed in 2014, started to changes in the ocean, some have to comply with the regula- to feed in nearshore waters and of which may become more tions; and the regulations have got entangled in fishing gear. frequent or intense as a result to be evaluated to see if they Thousands of young sea lions of climate change. Marine heat work so they can be adjusted stranded themselves on - waves (the scientific term for as needed. es. A huge harmful warm blobs) seem to be increas- formed, contaminating . ing in intensity, perhaps as part These are the basic tenets of Multiple fishery disasters were of a long-term increase in ocean effective fisheries management declared. as the ocean ab- — monitoring, data interpreta- sorbs heat from the atmosphere. tion, science-based regulations, Forecasters say the 2019 blob strong accountability measures could break up and dissipate We must all continue to work on and adaptive decision-making. harmlessly. But — because they reducing greenhouse gas emis- This will remain the recipe for are scientists — they also say sions and increasing natural car- success in the face of climate that if the cold water bon sinks like forests and — change, but the science, as well from deeper layers of the oceans and also the ocean’s biological as the management goals and slackens, the blob could expand carbon pump — to slow global benchmarks, will need to be up- instead. So, there is a lot of un- warming down in order to reduce dated to reflect changing ocean certainty. The good news is that impacts and costs. But the earth conditions. a new monitoring system is now is already warming, and we are in place that actually detected the locked into even more warming Along the West Coast, the moni-

33 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 34 ssues of social equity and fairness are central to func- tioning societies across the globe. When there is the Iperception of systematic unfairness — or an imbalance Climate-resilient of equity within a society or group — unrest is sure to follow. You can see this playing out in real-time just by fisheries require turning on the news. The same dynamics apply to the allocation of natural resources, especially those that relate directly to human fairness and equity well-being, including food, health and shelter.

Fisheries are no different — and their systems of gover- Willow Battista and Alexis Rife nance and management are deeply woven into the social fabric of many societies around the world. This means that issues of unfairness and inequity in fisheries have an outsized impact on many nations that rely on fish for food, nutrition and livelihoods, which are most prevalent in the developing tropics and Global South. And these issues will only become more critical as we factor climate change impacts into the equation, since those burdens will fall most heavily on the shoulders of those who are least prepared to deal with the weighty consequences.

In fact, successful fisheries governance systems can be severely undermined by even the perception of inequi- ty. In the worst cases, unfair access can be enough to induce conflict, and “fish wars” can result. Even without such overt fights, lack of buy-in to management systems among all participants can undermine management effec- tiveness, with both social and ecological consequences. Where sustainable management systems are not yet in place, inequity also affects the feasibility of achieving necessary reforms.

Further, in the context of climate change, inequity hinders the ability of a society to adapt as ecological systems change. As important and valuable target species in- creasingly move away from their historical locations, the durability of management systems will be put to the test.

35 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 36 Failure to adapt in the face of growing inequities in the country. immediately pressured for a veto. build climate resilience in global climate change will undermine a However, this wasn’t the first time At this news, however, the small- fisheries: if fishing communities society’s efforts at sustainability. this year that Chile was rocked scale sector began protests and and nations are going to be by social unrest. In January, demonstrations, claiming that the able to transform and adapt to Of course, inequity is bad, all by protests erupted over access trawl fishing results in overfish- changing conditions, decisions itself. And inequity exists at many and gear types in the important ing and ecosystem damage, and interventions must be guided scales, not just within the ambit Humboldt squid fishery, resulting and citing the industrial sector’s by the principles of equity and of a particular fishery or fishery in increased access for the small- historically powerful influence on fairness. If they are not, progress management system. At the very scale fleet and gear changes for policy decisions that impacted will be hindered and outcomes largest scale, inequity exists the industrial fleet. both groups. will be worse. where developed nations are dis- proportionately responsible for In the current global political Equity and Sustainable, climate pollution that dispropor- context, where millions of people Climate-Resilient tionately impacts the developing are engaging in protests, it may Fisheries tropics. These regions are home seem like the use of one gear to many of the world’s most vul- or another to catch squid is a Inequity, both driven by and nerable people and much of the small issue to spur such unrest leading to systemic prejudice and world’s most important biodiver- and violence. However, what power imbalances, has existed sity centers. It is time to push our the so-called “squid war” has in the world over since long before collective understanding of cli- common with these other pro- the impacts of climate change mate change to identify not only tests around the world is that, at began to surface, including in the likely winners and losers, but heart, they are rooted in issues of fisheries management disputes also to find ways to make sure inequity and the societal power around the world. It is critical that impacted people are treated imbalances created by it. LUCIANO HIRIART-BERTRAND that we not let the onset of fairly, as even those changes The squid war is a testament overt climate change disguise already baked into global climate In the early 2000s, the Humboldt to the challenges of equity and or conceal these pre-existing change are realized. squid’s range began to change, fairness that fishers and fishery conditions or obscure underlying partly driven by climate change, managers are beginning to (and culpabilities. A Case Study: Squid Wars poleward along the southern increasingly, must) grapple with It is clear, however, that climate in Chile coast of Chile, prompting more the world over as climate change change is going to worsen exist- fishers — both artisanal and causes fishery ranges to shift ing fisheries access and potential Chile is in the news this month as industrial — to want to take part and harvests to change. In fact, fish production inequities, both protests, both violent and peace- in this fishery. In January 2019, climate change-driven “fish wars” within and across groups. ful, have erupted around the the Chilean government, seeking are already happening in other country and have become a “na- sustainability of the fishery, intro- places too, and as the effects of Some of the most vulnerable and tional crisis.” Protests — some duced a bill that sought to pro- climate change progress, we can historically-marginalized peoples in the millions of people — are hibit the use of mid-water trawls expect them to happen more and around the world, especially still going strong. These protests (the favored gear of the indus- more. These conflicts point to a those in the developing tropics, were spurred by rising costs and trial sector). The industrial fleet critical lesson for our efforts to will be hit hardest by climate

37 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 38 change impacts. This is true at One way to do this is by making dampen negative effects of rising help guide that process in three a global scale, where research sure impacted groups are part seas and intensifying storms particular focus areas: shows that individual fish stocks of decision-making processes. while simultaneously improving will move poleward and total fish Doing so helps to ensure plans essential habitats for fish popula- 1. Distribution of benefits and production potential will move and policies adequately consider tions, such as mangrove swamps damages. In building cli- away from coastal communities the full range of implications, and and seagrass beds. Properly mate-resilient fisheries, care in the developing tropics, where it also increases social buy-in to designed fisheries management must be taken to ensure there reliance on local fisheries for policy change and ensures that and blue carbon portfolios can are no clear winners and no livelihoods and food security is new management measures are help reinforce each other, while clear losers as a result of highest. At the local or sectoral perceived as legitimate. reducing negative effects on both climate change. This applies to scale, these mostly small-scale human and natural communities. the distribution of benefits and fishers are particularly vulnera- These are among the most Resources are already available damages within groups, as well ble, with less financial flexibility important factors for ensuring from the Green Climate Fund and as across groups at an interna- and higher degrees of reliance successful implementation of, other sources to begin trying this tional scale — and everything on specific places and species. and compliance with, changes idea out. in between. In particular, when Thus, it is both a moral and a in management that aim to build considering the implications practical imperative that cli- climate-resilient fisheries. In Finally, examining cli- of climate change on the mate-resilience-building efforts addition, inclusive, participatory mate-change impacts and chal- developing tropics, equity address and reduce the resulting decision-making facilitates the lenges through an equity lens considerations dictate that the fisheries inequities. incorporation of critical local can help to identify and address developed world must provide knowledge from impacted com- the underlying drivers of both support to impacted communi- But there are other reasons to munities who likely have good inequity and climate change, ties as systems transition. let the principles of fairness and ideas about the best ways to mit- thereby leading to the creation equity drive climate-resilience igate and adapt to the oncoming of impactful, lasting solutions. 2. Truly participatory deci- interventions in fisheries man- changes! Thus, equity must be an input to sion-making processes. As agement and governance. One climate-resilience decision-mak- discussed above, to be equi- is that inequity drives instability In addition, as developed world ing, not just an output of it. table, decisions made regard- and lowers social cohesion, and societies accelerate their finan- ing both the interpretation of when paired with changing ac- cial contributions to those on the How to address equity in cli- climate-impact information and cess to resources, it will reduce receiving end of damage caused mate-resilient fisheries work is a the best course of action to the resilience of societies, limit- by climate emissions, there are challenge the world over. But, it respond must be transparent, ing their ability to transform and many ways to focus investments is essential to begin moving for- inclusive and human-cen- adapt to the effects of climate in ways that offset impacts on ward now to factor these needs tered. Many tools, resources change. the most vulnerable populations. into climate-smart fisheries de- and approaches exist to help In the fisheries arena, that can signs in order to make the rapid facilitate participatory fishery Truly sustainable fisheries man- include direct investments in adaptations and transformations management decision-making, agement should also ensure that climate-smart fisheries manage- societies will need to make to and these same tools can be effective solutions are success- ment and governance, but also in deal with climate change.Fortu- valuable as we work toward fully taken up and implemented. “blue carbon” projects that can nately, scientific knowledge can climate resilience.

39 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 40 3. Recognizing and respect- ing the identities of different groups and individuals. Building Fisheries Different group identities (e.g., race, gender, class, age, etc.) can be associated with for the Future different levels of marginal- ization and vulnerability and with differential abilities to Merrick Burden participate in decision-making and to adapt to change. We need to understand how each impacted group perceives climate impacts, build capacity for management in order to empower marginalized groups and increase their agency and foster discussions where indi- viduals and groups can work together, support one another and learn from each other.

When we look at impacts of cli- mate change on fisheries through an equity and fairness lens, soci- ety can develop higher-leverage, more impactful and more sustain- able solutions. By building fish- eries management in a way that promotes fairness and equity, the world can foster social resilience, which in turn will help support the transformative change necessary to create thriving fisheries and fishing communities in the future.

41 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 42 limate change is here and in raising the specter of this issue 2. Anticipate and plan for rect geographies? Are scientific can only get worse. This and motivating global society future change evaluation tools set up in ways Cpromises to scramble the toward constructive change. The appropriate for future conditions? oceans in ways we do not yet question, of course, is “how will Looking ahead and planning for Are management benchmarks fully understand, and it poses society react?” the future can help us avoid prob- appropriate for future conditions? nothing short of an existential risk lems that may otherwise arise. What sort of conflicts (allocation to marine ecosystems and the In this series, we have drawn When we look toward the future, or otherwise) will arise in a future people that rely upon them for upon our experiences to outline we should ask ourselves whether world? And, what sort of risks livelihoods and food security. Yet, several key priorities, focus areas all aspects of management and does the future hold in store to the future is not without hope. If and strategies that practitioners governance systems are set up the integrity of the management we can stem emissions, there is around the world can embrace in appropriately in the face of future system? By anticipating these reason to believe that the sea can order to build more resilient fish- change. For instance, we should changes ahead of time, we can continue to host abundant and eries and to ensure that society ask ourselves questions like: Are begin the important process of diverse life and support the eco- reacts in the most constructive our existing fishery management adaptation and transition before nomic, social and food needs of manner possible. These key pri- goals appropriate? Are manage- problems occur. society. But we must get started orities, focus areas and strategies ment plans focused on the cor- now. can be described as:

As we wrap up this series, mul- 1. Ensure effective fishery tiple efforts are underway — or management and have recently commenced — to governance is in place move global society to address the effects of climate change on Addressing climate change fisheries. Just this fall, we have effects on will seen the importance of address- require a certain level of fishery ing climate change in fisheries management sophistication. highlighted in the IPCC Special This means that, in places where Report on the Ocean and Cryo- effective management and gover- sphere in a Changing Climate, at nance does not yet exist, the first events during UN Climate Week, step must be the establishment at the FAO International Sympo- of effective management and sium on Fisheries Sustainability, governance and the implemen- and shortly, at COP25 (often re- tation of best practice. Without ferred to as the “Blue COP”). Ear- it, there’s very little that can be ly next year the High Level Panel done to address climate change for a Sustainable Ocean Econo- effects. my will release its findings. These high-visibility global events are serving a much-needed purpose

43 FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE FISHERIES FOR THE FUTURE 44 3. Enhance international of resilience attributes in marine society perceives the process as Doing all of this on a global scale cooperation systems, we can help that system fair and the outcomes are equi- is a tall order. However, the fact is to resist and recover from cli- table. Thus, addressing issues of that we are already doing these Most fish stocks are expected mate-related shocks — including fairness and equity are important things in many places. As we to move as a result of climate those that we do not anticipate. for two reasons: do so, we are learning a great change, and this means that the 1. it’s a moral obligation on the deal from these experiences geographic scale of manage- 5. Use the principles of part of the developed world, that we can use to help advance ment must change along with fairness and equity to and climate-smart fishery reforms it if we hope to manage stocks drive policy decisions 2. our success at implementing elsewhere. sustainably across their range. climate-smart fishery That means we must get better Inequity is already a concern management depends on it. at international cooperation. at global and local levels and Fortunately, there are successful climate change promises to While shifting standard ap- models that we can learn from. exacerbate these problems, with proaches to align with these key societies in developing equa- strategies may seem complicat- 4. Build general resilience torial nations standing to suffer ed, in reality, learning and of the ecosystem to the most severe consequences. adapting are an inherent part of help respond to the Such inequity of effects raises effective fishery management. unknown many moral issues, especially Indeed, many would say that when we consider that many the ideal governance system We must humbly acknowledge places that will suffer from cli- would be based on ecosys- two important aspects of climate mate change are the places that tem-based adaptive manage- change: 1) That there is a lot we have contributed the least to it. ment, which inherently relies do not know about how climate Therefore, working to address on flexibility and improvements change will unfold, and 2) it and reverse these inequities through time. However, climate would be impossible for mankind is simply the right thing to do. change will release greater and to manage all consequences of However, issues of inequity and faster changes than expected, climate change even if we could fairness also relate directly to requiring more nimble adapta- foresee them. When we acknowl- the acceptance and durability of tion. As events unfold, we will edge these realities, the ratio- management need to view them as learning nal response is to help ensure systems. In the face of climate opportunities and adapt manage- marine ecosystems are made change, we will be asking large ment, science and monitoring resilient. This means elevating swaths of society to make large in ways commensurate with that the importance of things like adaptations and transformations experience. This will help us to genetic and biological diversity, as the ocean system changes continually get better at refining habitat complexity and connec- around us. History shows us our approaches to fisheries man- tivity, ensuring adequate popula- that society is far more likely to agement in the face of climate tion sizes of marine species and embrace and continue to support change. more. By bolstering these kinds these kinds of changes when

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