A digitised version of ICSF library, with more than 2000 original documents and 12,000+ curated links, collected over the last 33 years The International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) is an international non-governmental organization that works towards the establishment of equitable, gender-just,self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector.
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Use of conservation areas for fisheries management and ecosystem conservation in the U.S. exclusive economic zone

Bachman, Michelle and Coakley, Jessica and Witherell, David and Boelke, Deirdre and Fitchett, Mark and Froeschke, John and Griffin, Kerry and Holycross, Brett and Pugliese, Roger and Reid, Eric and Rivera, Liajay (2025) Use of conservation areas for fisheries management and ecosystem conservation in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Marine Policy, 175. p. 11.

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Official URL: https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/271824/1-s2.0-...

Abstract

Area-based restrictions on the use of fishing gears is one of many tools to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity in U.S. waters as well as internationally. We defined the term ‘marine fisheries conservation area’ and created an inventory of areas that restrict fishing activities, most of which were established by the U.S. Fishery Management Councils under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). We identified 648 areas which currently cover 72 % of the total U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 531 areas, representing 56 % of the EEZ, were classified as Ecosystem Conservation Areas that directly provide in situ conservation of biodiversity. Bottom trawling is prohibited year-round in 56 % of the EEZ, and all bottom tending gear is prohibited year-round in 37 %. Other fishing gears are prohibited in 60 % of the EEZ year-round. Thus, a majority of the U.S. EEZ is conserved from the most environmentally adverse fishing activities. These focused geographic areas complement other management tools used to ensure sustainable fisheries and ecosystems, such as catch and bycatch limits and limitations on legal gears, which are often deployed at regional scales. Collectively, these measures meet objectives and MSA National Standards and promote the maintenance of biological productivity and biodiversity, while balancing ecosystem function with services that benefit our nation, such as access to nature through recreational opportunities and healthy, sustainable seafood for consumers. The strength of fisheries management in the U.S. is the ability to balance the diverse needs of the nation with the need for a healthy marine ecosystem.

Item Type: Articles
Keywords: Fisheries Management, Marine Ecosystem, Conservation, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Fishing Gears, Biodiversity, Bottom Trawling, Bycatch, Sustainable Fisheries, Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA)
Subjects: Biodiversity
Depositing User: Kokila ICSF Krish
Date Deposited: 23 Jun 2025 10:40
Last Modified: 23 Jun 2025 10:40
URI: http://icsfarchives.net/id/eprint/21729

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