The “Total Ecology” of Pelagic Resource Policy and Management Michael K. Orbach Marine Laboratory Nicholas School of the Environment Duke University April, 2007

The Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna Fishery

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ECOLOGIES OF COASTS AND OCEANS BIOPHYSICAL (NON-HUMAN) ECOLOGY HUMAN ECOLOGY OF CONSTITUENTS INSTITUTIONAL ECOLOGY

Biophysical Ecology The biophysical ecology, or ecological sub-system, is defined by a set of non-human, biophysical resources and environments, such as: -A politically bounded system such as a county, state or country -An ocean or ocean region -A biophysical system defined by a migratory fish pathway and their associated human-built artifacts (Tuna pens, FADS)

Human (Constituent) Ecology The human (constituent) ecology, or ecological sub-system, is defined as those humans and human behaviors that affect, are affected by, or are otherwise concerned with a defined biophysical ecology

Human (Constituent) Ecology The human (constituent) ecology, or ecological sub-system, is defined as those humans and human behaviors that affect, are affected by, or are otherwise concerned with a defined biophysical ecology

Institutional Ecology The institutional ecology, or ecological sub- system, is defined as those governance institutions that govern, or affect, the behavior of those people in the human ecological system

The “Total Ecology” The “Total Ecology” consists of the mapping of these three -Biophysical-Human-Institutional ecological subsystems onto one another ecological subsystems onto one another

The “Total Ecology” of Pelagic Fisheries Biophysical Ecology Human Ecology (Constituents) (Natural Science) Fishing Industries & Communities (Media) Commercial Recreational Subsistence Scientific Community Processing, Marketing and (Social Science) Academia Distribution Sector Government Consumers Industry Interest Groups Non-Government The Public Organizations Institutional Ecology State/Provincial Fishery Agencies Interstate Marine Fishery Agencies [NMFS/NOAA Regional Fishery Management Councils] National Fishery Agencies International Management Organizations

Ecosystem Management - The management of human behaviors -Towards specific objectives -Through a specific governance system -Which affect, or are affected by, a specific biophysical environment

SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY __________________ SCIENCE: OBJECTIVITY, RELIABILITY, AND VALIDITY (NON-NORMATIVE: WHAT DID, WILL, OR MIGHT HAPPEN) GOVERNANCE: HUMAN VALUE-BASED DECISION-MAKING AND ADVOCACY (NORMATIVE: WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN)

THE NATURE OF MARINE FISHERIES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ALL FISHERIES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS HAVE BIO/ECOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES AND BIO/ECOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS…..

.....and ALL FISHERIES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS INVOLVE TRADEOFFS AMONG THESE OBJECTIVE AND IMPACT CATEGORIES THAT IS THE PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE THE NATURE OF MARINE FISHERIES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

THEREFORE, IF WE DO NOT HAVE FULL DATA AND INFORMATION ON ALL THREE OF THE ECOLOGICAL SUBSYSTEMS, WE WILL NOT KNOW HOW TO JUDGE THESE NECESSARY TRADEOFFS…...

…..And….. There is natural/physical science (biophysical ecology)…… Social science (human and institutional ecology)…… And other areas of expertise (engineering, law, business, planning) And the applications of science and these other areas of expertise to pelagic fisheries policy (governance)

- Categories of Social Scientific Data for Pelagic Fisheries -Use Patterns -Attitudes, Perceptions and Beliefs -Economics -Communities -Governance, Institutions and Processes -Cultural Heritage and Resources

Problems in Incorporating Social Scientific Data and Information into Fisheries Ecosystem Management Is it science? Lack of trained social scientists in the marine field Lack of social science professionals in the marine resource management structure Lack of funding for social science research and application Lack of understanding of the need for social scientific data and information

Problems in Integrating Scientific Disciplines and Science with Policy and Management Lack of opportunities for cross- and interdisciplinary work Lack of mutual understanding and respect among disciplines Inadequate “translation” of scientific results for different constituencies and audiences Lack of common formats for display and comparison of objectives, alternatives and impacts across topics and disciplines

Interactions Institutional Ecology Human Ecology Biophysical Ecology ?

Which is why….. Political will looms so large in the effective implementation of any fishery management regime

If we do not have as much high-quality, documented data and information on the Human and Institutional Ecology as on the Biophysical Ecology of pelagic fishery systems, in a common conceptual and linguistic framework, we will not be able to accomplish “Ecosystem Management” of pelagic fisheries.