Alfred M. Duda

A new imperative for improving management of large marine ecosystems

Continued over-fishing in the face of scientific warnings, fishing down food webs, destruction ofhabitat, and accelerated pollution loading—especially nitrogen export—have resulted in significant degradation to coastal and marine ecosystems ofboth rich and poor nations. Fragmentation among institutions, international agencies, and disciplines, lack of cooperation among nations sharing marine ecosystems, and weak national policies, legislation, and enforcement all contribute to the need for a new imperative for adopting ecosystem-based approaches to managing human activities in these systems in order to avoid serious social and economic disruption. The global environment facility (GEF) has been approached by developing countries in overwhelming numbers for assistance in securing the futures of their shared large marine ecosystems (LMEs). This paper describes GEF supported processes being used to assist them in adopting a science-driven, ecosystem-based approach to the management of human activities affecting coastal and marine ecosystems and linked freshwater basins. At risk are renewable goods and services valued at

Addressing the Global Water and Environment Crises through Integrated Approaches to the Management of Land, Water and Ecological Resources

10.6 trillion per year. A total of10 LME projects involving 72 countries have been approved by the GEF Council, and another 7 LMEs involving 54 countries have GEF international waters projects under preparation. A five-module assessment and management methodology is being tested that moves the countries toward adopting practical joint governance institutions through placebased management. This LME approach engages stakeholders, fosters the participation of the science community, and leads to the development ofadaptive management institutions. Comprehensive initiatives in four LMEs are described. The importance is underscored for establishing and coordinating partnerships between the North and South for specific LMEs and their linked watersheds. These coordinated North–South partnerships significantly augment catalytic interventions made by the GEF leading to reforms and investments that are helping make the transition to sustainable development. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Large Marine Ecosystems: An Emerging Paradigm for Fishery Sustainability

Abstract As the world approaches the 30-year anniversary of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and prepares to review progress made in the decade since Dublin and Rio, we are confronted with results that are mostly disappointing. When it comes to addressing the water resources crisis, the 1990s may well be remembered as a decade of debate rather than action. Recent assessments suggest a doubling to almost two-thirds of the worlds population experiencing some water stress by 2025 and increased demands to withdraw more water for a new “green revolution” for irrigated agriculture. Both of these will accelerate environmental degradation to a new crisis level while the existing degradation that resulted from the first “green revolution” still awaits remedial action both in the North as well as in the South. It is now clear that the global water crisis and the global environment crisis are linked and are being exacerbated by unprecedented global pressure resulting from over-consumption, population growth, globalization of economic systems and trade, reduction in development assistance, and failure to enact necessary policy, legal, and institutional reforms. This article makes the case that the traditional sector-by-sector approach to economic development is a key contributor to the two global crises. Lessons of experience are presented on policy, legal, and institutional reforms necessary to address the inter-linked crises through integrated approaches to managing land and water resources and their biological diversity. Water pricing reforms, reductions in damaging subsidies, land tenure reforms, community participation, and institutional reforms are necessary. There is a need to build upon the linkages and synergies among the three Rio conventions (climate, biodiversity, and desertification) in order to create new global driving forces for actions to address the crises holistically in the context of a countrys national sustainable development strategy. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its implementing agencies stand ready with incremental cost grant financing to assist countries willing to undertake the reforms for integrated basin management of land, water and biological resources as they transition towards sustainable development

Toward Ecosystem-based Recovery of Marine Biomass Yield

Abstract Large marine ecosystems (LMEs) are areas of ocean space with distinct bathymetry, hydrography, productivity, and trophic relationships. On a global scale, researchers have described 50 LMEs; these areas account for 95% of the annual global marine fishery yields. Retrospective analyses of the principal forces driving changes in the yields and sustainability of fisheries biomass have been completed for 33 of the LMEs. Based on the results of these studies, working groups within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Marine Fisheries Service have developed a five-module strategic approach for strengthening the links between science-based assessments of changing LME states and socioeconomic benefits of long-term sustainability of fisheries. The modules provide a framework for developing countries to improve assessment and management of LME fisheries, habitat, and related pollution reduction needs. The LME projects currently funded or being developed in collaboration with the...

14 – Applications of the Large Marine Ecosystem Approach Toward World Summit Targets

It has been suggested that the maximum global level of primary production for sustainable average biomass yield of marine fisheries has been reached and that any further “unmanaged” increases are likely to be at lower levels of the marine food web (1). Recent evidence for this effect has been reported for 4 large areas of the globe not presently under any ecosystembased management regime (2). The need for ecosystem-based assessment and management practices to support recovery and sustainability of global fishery resources has recently been advanced by the National Research Council (3), and others (4). With developing countries being more dependent on their fisheries for community livelihoods, sources of protein, and foreign exchange, the World Community is now assisting these countries to make the transition to ecosystem-based management.

Politics and socio-economics of ecosystem-based management of marine resources

Fragmentation among institutions, international agencies, and disciplines, lack of cooperation among nations sharing marine ecosystems, and weak national policies, legislation, and enforcement all contribute to the recognition of a new imperative for adopting ecosystem-based approaches to managing human activities in these systems to avoid social and economic disruption. The chapter discusses global scope of GEF–LME projects. Listed are the LME projects that have been approved by the GEF or are under preparation with GEF funding. The approved GEF–LME projects include developing nations or those in economic transition and other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, because the living resources, the pollution loading, or the critical habitats have trans-boundary implications across rich and poor nations alike. Each of the GEF–LME projects assists participating countries in moving toward the World Summit targets with the implementation of their ecosystem-based projects having objectives consistent with the Summit POI for ocean coastal waters. There is discussion on features and early results of LME projects—Danube/Black Sea Basin LME, Red Sea LME, Western Pacific Warm Pool marine ecosystem, Mediterranean LME, South China Sea LME, and Patagonia Shelf LME. The chapter discusses comprehensive LME demonstration projects and project modules—Gulf of Guinea Pilot Project, Benguela Current LME Project, the Yellow Sea LME Project, and Baltic Sea Regional Project. There are details on the excessive nutrient loading of ocean coastal waters, the sustaining momentum created in 121 countries—the New LME partnerships. It appears there is a focused global effort to restore biomass and biological diversity to coastal oceans, as concerned governments understand the poverty reduction and security enhancement that accompanies more sustainable management regimes. The GEF international waters focal area has played a catalytic role through its emphasis on joint, integrated management of LMEs, their coastal assets, and linked river basins.