2 results
24 - The Vision for EBM of Continental Shelf Ecosystems in the Wider Caribbean
- Edited by Lucia Fanning, Robin Mahon, Patrick McConney, L. Verhart
-
- Book:
- Towards Marine Ecosystem-Based Management in the Wider Caribbean
- Published by:
- Amsterdam University Press
- Published online:
- 22 January 2021
- Print publication:
- 15 July 2012, pp 347-354
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Introduction
Continental shelf ecosystems have high importance for the continental countries of the Wider Caribbean Region. They support important shrimp and groundfish fisheries (Phillips et al. Chapter 15) and snapper fisheries on their outer slopes (Heileman Chapter 13). There are also important linkages between the former fisheries and the many coastal and estuarine lagoons and wetlands that occur in these countries (Yáñez-Arancibia et al. Chapter 17). They support livelihoods (McConney and Salas Chapter 7) and provide critical ecosystem services (Schuhmann et al. Chapter 8). Continental shelf ecosystems have been degraded by many human impacts of both marine and land-based origin (Sweeney and Corbin Chapter 4; Gil and Wells Chapter 5).
This synthesis chapter presents the outputs of a group process aimed at developing a vision and way ahead for ecosystem based management (EBM) for continental shelf ecosystems in the Wider Caribbean, using the methods described earlier (Fanning et al. Chapter 1). In terms of structure, the chapter first describes a vision for continental shelf EBM and reports on the priorities assigned to the identified vision elements. It then discusses how the vision might be achieved by taking into account assisting factors (those that facilitate achievement) and resisting factors (those that inhibit achievement). The chapter concludes with guidance on the strategic direction needed to implement the vision, identifying specific actions to be undertaken for each of the vision elements.
The vision
The occupational breakdown of members of the Continental Shelf Ecosystems Working Group reflected the diversity of affiliations present at the EBM Symposium and included governmental, intergovernmental, academic, non-governmental and private sector (fishers and fishing industry and consulting) representatives. With guidance provided by the facilitator, this diverse group of participants was asked to first address the question of “What do you see in place in 10 years time when EBM/EAF has become a reality in the Caribbean?” This diversity provided for a fruitful and comprehensive discussion which is summarized in Table 24.1, in terms of the key vision elements and their subcomponents, and in Figure 24.1, which illustrates the level of priority assigned to each of the vision elements.
17 - Coastal Lagoons and Estuaries: The EBM Approach
- Edited by Lucia Fanning, Robin Mahon, Patrick McConney, L. Verhart
-
- Book:
- Towards Marine Ecosystem-Based Management in the Wider Caribbean
- Published by:
- Amsterdam University Press
- Published online:
- 22 January 2021
- Print publication:
- 15 July 2012, pp 241-254
-
- Chapter
- Export citation
-
Summary
Abstract
Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an appropriate approach for coastal lagoons and estuaries with high habitat heterogeneity and coupled gradients. From the standpoint of temporal and spatial scales and functional integration, we conclude that the drainage basin with respect to the continuum ‘low river basin-wetlands-delta-coastal lagoon-estuary-estuarine plume on the sea shelf’ is the optimal ecosystem level for a successful EBM approach to coastal lagoons and estuaries as biocomplex systems. Because EBM is a tool for social and economic development, any such EBM programme should: a) reduce those market distortions that affect biological diversity, b) align incentives to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, c) internalise costs and benefits in the ecosystem to the extent feasible, d) understand the habitat gradients concept in the coastal zone and how they apply to the EBM approach, and d) keep in mind that only management based on ecosystem integrity and functioning is sustainable.
Introduction
Coastal lagoons and estuaries are highly productive, highly vulnerable and, particularly for tropical coasts, highly diverse with respect to both species and habitats. These ecosystems support many valuable populations of fish and shellfish as well as birds and macrophytes. At the same time, a high proportion of the world's human population lives close to coastal lagoons and estuaries, which are therefore the recipients of many kinds of contaminants. The Caribbean region has an area of 15 million km2, in which 1.9 million km2 correspond to the continental shelf, with three main large marine ecosystems (LME); the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and the North Brazil Shelf. The coastal oceanography is complex due to the interactions between the Caribbean current, tropical hurricanes and the strong influence of major rivers such as the Amazon (200,000 m3/s), the Orinoco (35,000 m3/s), the Magdalena (7,800 m3/s), the Rio Dulce (1,100 m3/s), the Grijalva-Usumacinta (4,700 m3/s) and the Mississippi (19,000 m3/s). Deltaic systems, mangroves and integration of the LME with coastal zone management are a key concern for EBM of coastal lagoons and estuaries (Yáñez-Arancibia 2005; Yáñez-Arancibia and Day 2004a, 2004b; Day et al.