Publication Abstract

Guidance on the application of the ecosystem approach to management of human activities in the European marine environment

J. Rice, V. Trujillo, S. Jennings, K. Hylland, O. Hagstrom, A. Astudillo and J.N. Jensen

This report is an input to the development of the European Marine Strategy (EMS). It was written by a core group established jointly by ICES and the European Commission and has been subject to wide stakeholder consultation in one of the working groups set up to support the development of the EMS process – the Working Group on Ecosystem Approach to human activities (EAM).

Stakeholder Conference, arranged by the European Commission and held in Rotterdam 10–12 November 2004 concluded that the current guidance on Ecosystem Approach covers all relevant notions required to start work at regional levels. The Conference also endorsed an approach with objectives supported by indicators, limits, reference points, and targets as the appropriate approach for operationalising an Ecosystem Approach. Finally, the Conference concluded that the guidance on the Ecosystem Approach is an integral part of the European Marine Strategy necessary to make it operational, and a key mechanism to support delivery of sustainable development.

Based on the general support from the participants at the Conference, it was recognized that the report warranted wider dissemination and might be used for guidance outside the geographical scope of the European Marine Strategy.

Reference:

J. Rice, V. Trujillo, S. Jennings*, K. Hylland, O. Hagstrom, A. Astudillo and J.N. Jensen (2005) Guidance on the application of the ecosystem approach to management of human. ICES Cooperative Research Report, 273: 22pp