Long-Term Changes in the Biomass Yields of the Fish and Fisheries of the Yellow Sea LME Qisheng Tang Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute

POLLUTION & ECOSYSTEM HEALTH FISH & FISHERIES GOVERNANCESOCIOECONOMICS PRODUCTIVITY MODULAR ASSESSMENTS for Large Marine Ecosystems MODULAR ASSESSMENTS for Large Marine Ecosystems

Yellow Sea (Spring)

Biodiversity Yellow Sea

Variations of Community Structure Bohai Sea Yellow Sea

Figure 10. Annual catch of dominant species: (A) small yellow croaker and hairtail, (B) Pacific herring and Japanese mackerel, (C) anchovy, and (4) Sandlance.

Summary The community structure in the Yellow Sea LME has changed over time:  Biodiversity of fishery species increased by an increasing intensity of fishing disturbance from 1959 to 1980’s and then decreased when the fishing intensity continuously increased.  Changes of dominant species composition, the commercially important long-lived, high trophic level, piscivorous bottom fish have been replaced by the low-valued shorted-lived, low trophic level planktivorous pelagic fish.

The cause for the changes in the fish and fisheries of Yellow Sea ecosystem may be mainly responsible by Overexploitation. However, we still need pay attention to environment side. Results of Large Marine Ecosystem Studies (LMES) on variations in biomass yields indicate that some large-scale changes in abundance levels of marine resources result from changes in ocean productivity driven principally by environmental changes. Summary

Wetness grade Catch (10 3 mt) Rainfall Figure 12. Relationship between the fluctuations in herring abundance of the Yellow Sea and the 36-yr cycle of wetness oscillation in eastern China.

Trend in relative abundance of various ecotypes comprising the annual catch in the Yellow Sea, and long-term changes in environmental conditions. (A) Warm-water soecies; (B) temperate-water species; (C) Borreal species

Environment Change Climate Change

Figure 6. Changes of zooplankton biomass in the Yellow Sea.

 identify how the changes in anthropogenic and climate influences will affect the coastal ecosystems.  provide scientific underpinning for the sustainable utilization of the ecosystem and rational management system of fisheries and other living resources. Mitigation Actions in Y.S.

Mitigation Action

Implement the Yellow Sea LME Project Project ObjectiveEcosystem-based, environmentally-sustainable management and use of the YSLME Requesting countryPeople’s Republic of China and Republic of Korea GEF Focal AreaInternational Waters Implementing AgencyUNDP Duration5 years (????-????)

1.Regional strategies for sustainable management of fisheries and mariculture 2.Effective regional initiatives for biodiversity protection 3.Actions to reduce stress to the ecosystem, improve water quality and protect human health 4.Development of regional institution and capacity building Four major components developed for the Project

Fish Assemblages in the YSLME Survey station

Proposed monitoring transects and stations by CPR/UOR surveys in the Yellow Sea

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