This table compares the existing characteristics of many management systems with

that of an ideal EAFM system.

Existing approaches EAFM

Species Mainly target species All species in the ecosystem,

considered particularly those impacted by fishing

Management Relate mainly to target species and Multiple objectives covering the
objectives conventionally focused on fisheries, ecosystem goods and
biological objectives for maximizing services and socio-economic
sustainable yield considerations

Scale Addresses fisheries management Addresses the key issues at the

issues at the stock/fishery scale appropriate spatial and temporal
scales. These are often nested (local,
national, sub-regional, regional,
global)
Data and Mainly scientific data focusing on Broader knowledge base (both
information target species scientific and traditional) that
used emphasizes learning by doing
(adaptive management)

Assessment Largely stock assessment for key Multi-species and ecosystem

methods target species assessments through indicators

Management Mainly control of fishing Broad-based incentives (including

intervention tools such as Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs). Links with Integrated
Coastal Zone Management (ICM)
and broad-based incentives
Planning Usually in the form of a Fisheries The EAFM plan that considers the
Management Plan that considers fishery, ecosystem and human
target species systems and governance

Stakeholders Fishers, fishing Broader stakeholders; people

industry/communities affected by or who affect EAF
management
This table compares the existing characteristics of many management systems with
that of an ideal EAFM system.
Sectors Sectoral, i.e. focuses mainly on
fisheries sector issues
Policy and Largely at the government level.
decision- Addresses mainly corporate
making (fisheries sector) interests
Participation Top-down (command and
control) approaches typify
conventional fisheries
management
Compliance and Operates through regulations
enforcement and penalties for non-compliance
Deals more explicitly with the
interactions of the fishery sector
with other sectors, e.g. coastal
development, tourism, aquaculture,
navigation, petroleum industry
Participatory with major
stakeholders. Addresses the
interests and aspirations of a
broader stakeholder community
Participatory approaches, e.g.
various forms of co-management
are a key feature of EAFM
Encourages compliance with
regulations through incentives