Abstract

Originally motivated by ecosystem sustainability concerns, the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) has come to integrate all the elements needed for the realisation of sustainable development in fisheries, including those relevant to the ecological, socio-economic and institutional dimensions. Despite its perceived complexity, pragmatic approaches are developing such as the one adopted by the FAO guidelines (FAO 2003, 2005), and FAO is introducing and facilitating actual implementation in a number of countries and regions. While lack of detailed scientific knowledge is seen by many as the main hindrance to the realisation of EAF, preliminary observations based on the work done through FAO projects indicate that stakeholders regard poor governance and external drivers as the main threats to sustainability. In relation to knowledge needs, two opposite attitudes have emerged to address the broad range of issues and the complexity that EAF entails. One must almost dismiss the usefulness of scientific knowledge for sustainable management and instead focus on the participatory decision-making process to achieve sustainability. This attitude also recognises that scientific knowledge is often not understood and therefore not perceived as legitimate by stakeholders. The other, opposite view regards detailed scientific knowledge as a prerequisite for the EAF to succeed. The FAO's EAF guidelines, consistent with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, encourage the use of the ‘best available knowledge’ in fisheries management, a phrase that embodies two basic principles of the EAF, i.e. seeking improved knowledge but not postponing important decisions because of lack of complete knowledge. Furthermore, given the high level of uncertainty that characterises many ecosystem issues and the increased number of fisheries management objectives, more attention should be given to risk assessment/management techniques for decisionmaking.

The FAO's Ecosystem Approach

During the past decade the world community has largely adopted the ecosystem approach as the most adequate means to meet the challenges of sustainable development in relation to the utilisation of natural resources. This has happened in response to widespread unsustainable practices and despite many uncertainties about the exact nature and intent of the concept. As a result, there has been a proliferation of efforts to define the ecosystem approach and its principles.