Using ecosystem approach for marine resource management

Marine resource management can be improved by using an ecosystem approach which studies and considers the ecological relationships of utilized resources with their environment. The approach involves determining the carrying capacity of an ecosystem. This translates to knowing the maximum level of resources that can be extracted from an ecosystem without depleting its capacity to replenish itself, thus achieving sustainable resource consumption.

1. Using ecosystem approach
2. Ensuring sustainable use of marine living resources
3. Conserving marine ecosystems

1. Undertaking pilot projects on integrated marine and coastal resource management
2. Promoting bioregional approaches to marine conservation
3. Investigating coastal ecosystem productivity
4. Expanding cooperative research on life cycles of high seas species
5. Correlating marine environmental data with high seas marine living resource data
6. Apply international provisions to fish populations on the high seas

1. Integrating biodiversity concerns into marine resource policies
2. Developing marine resources for human needs

1. Supporting national efforts on integrated management of marine and coastal areas
2. Supporting centres of excellence for integrated marine and coastal resource management
3. Improving knowledge on ecosystem processes
4. Identifying obstacles to the utilization of coastal resources

1. Abstaining from marine resource management

1. Lack of integrated marine resource management

1. Mismanagement
2. Integration