The ecosystem‐based fisheries management (EBFM) framework has a solid theoretical justification and has been embraced in principle by many regions; yet, systematic implementation remains a challenge. In regions with strong governance, single‐species stock assessment and management has been successful in ending overfishing and maintaining stocks near levels that produce maximum catches. However, considering species in isolation and recognizing a limited set of management objectives leads to systemic inefficiencies, incentivizes waste and generates unintended consequences. To avoid undesirable outcomes, human values and needs must be positioned at the forefront of management, system‐level objectives must be identified, and management actions must be systematically evaluated to ensure they are contributing to those larger objectives. Such processes, when implemented transparently, will lead to reduced conflict and improved stakeholder support for governance and should greatly facilitate long‐term management. We argue here that, regardless of the management framework adopted, we inherently manage at the ecosystem level—albeit sometimes “blindly”—and that increased attention to ecosystem objectives and trade‐offs will improve management outcomes.

中文翻译：

---

到EBFM还是不到EBFM？那不是问题

基于生态系统的渔业管理（EBFM）框架具有扎实的理论依据，并在许多地区原则上得到了接受；然而，系统的实施仍然是一个挑战。在治理有力的地区，单物种种群评估和管理已成功结束了过度捕捞并将种群维持在产生最大捕捞量的水平附近。但是，孤立地考虑物种并认识到有限的管理目标会导致系统效率低下，刺激浪费并产生意想不到的后果。为了避免不良后果，必须将人的价值观和需求置于管理的最前沿，必须确定系统级别的目标，并且必须系统地评估管理措施以确保它们有助于实现更大的目标。这样的过程，如果以透明的方式实施，将减少冲突并提高利益相关者对治理的支持，并应大大促进长期管理。我们在这里辩称，无论采用哪种管理框架，我们都固有地在生态系统级别进行管理（尽管有时是“盲目”），并且越来越关注生态系统的目标和权衡取舍将改善管理成果。