An area, ecosystem-based approach to the management of groundfish in the eastern Gulf of Maine The Initiative is a coalition of fishermen, communities,

an area, ecosystem-based

approach to the management of

groundfish

in the eastern Gulf of Maine

The Initiative is a coalition of fishermen,

communities, government and scientists

an area, ecosystem-based

approach to the management of

groundfish

in the eastern Gulf of Maine

The Initiative is a coalition of fishermen,

communities, government and scientists

The Downeast Initiative

MA

NH

Maine

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Georges Bank

Source: NOAA

Gulf of Maine

Source: University of S. Maine

Maine

PortlandEastern Maine

Coastal Current

Bar Harbor

Gulf of Maine

The goal of the Downeast Initiative is to create a pilot project employing area and ecosystem-based management of fisheries.

It’s a positive response to the very poor condition of New England fisheries:

We have not conserved the resource.

We do not have the economic opportunities associated with a healthy ecosystem.

The loss of fish occurred early in the Downeast area.

But the experience Downeast is representative of

the rest of New England.

In more ways than one we see the Downeast Initiative as a promising experiment for our

fisheries.

1977 Extended Jurisdiction

1984 U.S./Canadian Boundary

Downeast - a very short history and overview

Downeast - a very short history and overview

In the mid-nineteenth century the area was the largest source of fish in the U.S.

In the 1980s there were approximately 75 dedicated groundfish boats plus several hundred small multi-purpose day boats.

Today, there are two dedicated groundfish boats and a few multi-purpose.

The downeast area has been nearly empty of groundfish since the mid-90s, and

urchins are virtually fished out,

scallops gone,

halibut scarce,

clams way down,

lobster - now very abundant - is about the only thing left.

Recently we’ve had two prominent oceans reports that urge a shift to ecosystem-based

management

Recently we’ve had two prominent oceans reports that urge a shift to ecosystem-based

management

There are three fundamental ideas the Initiative takes from these reports:

Ecosystems work at large and small scales.

We have to match governance to the different scales of the ecosystem.

The self-interest of fishermen has to be aligned with the sustainability of the resource.

Basic science, management rationaleBasic science, management rationale

There is growing scientific evidence that:

Fish populations appear to be much more localized than previously assumed.

Stocks tend to mix and overlap making it hard to manage simply with mortality controls.

This implies greater reliance on local rules about how, when and where fishing takes place so that the basic structure of the ecosystem can be maintained.

These circumstances put a new premium on local ecological knowledge and

the need to manage at both broad and fine scales.

Basic Governance Basic Governance

Governance has to be matched to multiple ecological scales.

Good stewardship depends on rights and governance that align individual interest with the sustainability of the resource.

Fishermen have to be accountable and responsible for the health of the resource.

Democratic governance is essential to bring fishermen’s knowledge into the public arena.

Fishermen and scientists see the system from different angles. Both views are useful.

Ecosystem-based rules about how, when and where fishing takes place

make sense and can be enforced only when backed by local knowledge.

MarketsMarkets

The Initiative realizes that ecosystem-based management will require new market structures.

Current markets are adapted principally to large scale centralized markets.

Finer scale management will lead to smaller scale technology with irregular supply and will require more flexible, finer scale markets.

Multi-scale management and governance have to be accompanied by multi-scale markets.

Restored groundfish stocks and a healthy ecosystem.

Ecosystem-based, area management within the Gulf of Maine (three inshore, one offshore areas?)

Participatory, decentralized governance, nested within state and federal system.

A system of fishing rights that generates a new sense of stewardship.

A diversified, multi-scale fishing industry that provides economic opportunity for coastal communities.

Markets that support a diversified fishery, i.e., high volume conventional markets and low volume, high end markets.

Where we want to be 10 years from now.Where we want to be 10 years from now.

The atmosphere in the Gulf of Maine is changing.

When we started this Initiative we felt we were alone.

Today we are scrambling to coordinate with new collaborators - fishing groups, NGOs, government.

There’s a growing group of scientists associated with the Initiative (and many who are not) who are excited and working on the same ideas.

There is a consensus about the need for change - in the New England Fishery Council, in state and federal governments, in the environmental community and in the industry.

We feel the Downeast Initiative is a reasonable pilot approach based on the hard lessons of the last 30 years.

Where is the Initiative?Where is the Initiative?

Fundamental changes have to start locally.

But they need to be facilitated nationally.

The Downeast Initiative

• Maine Seacoast Mission• School of Marine Sciences, University of

Maine• The Nature Conservancy• Penobscot East Resource Center• Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance• The Island Institute• Maine Department of Marine Resources• Downeast Lobstermen’s Association• Gulf of Maine Research Institute• Coastal Enterprises Inc.• Stonington Fisheries Alliance• Schoodic Futures

Organizations

• Ted Hoskins, co-chair, Maine Seacoast Mission• James Wilson, co-chair, University of Maine• Robin Alden, Penobscot East Resource Center• Ted Ames, Penobscot East Resource Center• Jennifer Atkinson, Quebec Labrador Foundation• Dwight Carver, Maine Lobstermen’s Assn.• Dennis Damon, Maine State Senate• Heather Deese, University of Maine• Clare Grindal, Downeast Lobstermen’s Association• Howdy Houghton, College of the Atlantic• Jennifer Litterall, Island Institute• Craig Pendleton, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance• Dana Rice, New England Fishery Mgt. Council• Stephen Robbins, Maine Dept of Marine Resources• Bob Rosenbaum, Penobscot East Resource Center• Cindy Smith, Maine Dept of Marine Resources• Geoff Smith, The Nature Conservancy (Maine)• Rob Snyder, Island Institute• Terry Stockwell, Maine Dept of Marine Resources• Bill Stone, Schoodic Futures

Steering Committee

The Downeast Initiative

•

Edward Ames, Penobscot East Resource Center

•

Yong Chen, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine

•

Lewis Incze, Aquatic Systems Group, University of Southern Maine

•

Les Kaufman, Boston University

•

Linda Mercer, Maine Department of Marine Resources

•

Graham Sherwood, Gulf of Maine Research Institute

•

Geoff Smith, Maine Chapter, The Nature Conservancy

•

Bob Steneck, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine

•

James Wilson, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine

•

Huijie Xue, School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine

Science Steering Committee

The Downeast Initiative

Thank you.

The Downeast Initiative

Historical Cod Spawning and Fishing Grounds

in the Eastern Gulf of Maine

Historical Cod Spawning and Fishing Grounds

in the Eastern Gulf of Maine Source: Ames, Fisheries 2004Source: Ames, Fisheries 2004

Penobscot Bay