The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management

In the two years that MEAM has been published, the most common questions from readers have related to terminology. Namely readers have wondered about the distinctions between ecosystem-based management and other resource management terms that have gained favor at different times in various places – like ecosystem approach to management,…

As with new concepts in virtually any field – particularly ideas that involve change from the status quo – misconceptions exist about marine ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning (MSP). These misconceptions, held by practitioners and stakeholders alike, pose obstacles to implementation. Below, authors of two new publications describe some…

In the Western Pacific, the archipelagic nation of Fiji includes more than 800 high islands, cays, and islets. Holding roughly 4% of all coral reefs in the world, Fiji includes the third-longest barrier reef on Earth – the Great Sea Reef, or Cakau Levu. Most of the country's population of…

The article in our last issue on whether conservation should be considered a use of the marine environment (MEAM 3:1) drew reactions from readers who were opposed to the concept. Dear MEAM, With all of the major issues confronting our oceans and marine resources, why are we creating new ones?…

Risk plays a role in any situation where decisions must be made based on uncertain information. In finance, for example, investors must often choose between putting their money in a bank account with a low but guaranteed interest rate, or in a stock that may yield high returns but also…

By Tundi Agardy, MEAM Contributing Editor. E-mail: tundiagardy@earthlink.net The European Commission has embraced the concept of marine spatial planning (MSP) as a way to promote ecosystem-based management. But will its endorsement of MSP lead to active changes in management and, more specifically, to the development of ocean zoning? It is…

Editor’s note: The goal of The EBM Toolbox is to promote awareness of tools for facilitating EBM processes. It is brought to you by the EBM Tools Network (www.ebmtools.org), a voluntary alliance of tool users, developers, and training providers. By Sarah Carr Marine connectivity refers to the concept that areas…

US interagency task force releases proposal for new national ocean policy A US task force composed of representatives from multiple federal agencies has released an interim report with proposals for a comprehensive national approach to ocean policy. The plan would set up a new interagency National Ocean Council to guide…