ABSTRACT

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) management is a concept aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of the entire ecosystem. While EAF is a noble approach, its implementation has been challenging. Although Namibia has committed to the implementation of EAF, only limited assessment has been done of Namibian fisheries management processes and instruments concerning EAF. A qualitative assesment was done to ascertain if the Namibian fisheries management processes and instruments conform to the EAF principles. Namibian fisheries management processes and instruments largely conform to the EAF principles, although there are notable areas needing improvements. The conformities were pronounced in the total allowable catch setting, rebuilding depleted stocks, minimizing bycatch, and fishing impact minimization. The polluter pays, and user pays principles were also applied. Areas that were found lacking in this study included setting the indicators for EAF and ecosystem integrity. The assessment also noted the absence of guidelines for the precautionary approach principle and a transparent policy for quota and right allocation processes. The strategies for managing transboundary fish species are also not formulated. Overall, this assessment showed the complexities and challenges that Namibia and other countries need to overcome to implement EAF successfully.

摘要

渔业生态系统方法（EAF）管理是一个旨在保护和可持续利用整个生态系统的概念。尽管EAF是一种高尚的方法，但其实施一直具有挑战性。尽管纳米比亚致力于实施渔业生态系统方法，但对纳米比亚有关渔业生态系统方法的渔业管理程序和手段只进行了有限的评估。进行了定性评估，以确定纳米比亚的渔业管理程序和手段是否符合渔业生态系统方法的原则。纳米比亚的渔业管理程序和手段大体上符合渔业生态系统方法的原则，尽管在显着领域需要改进。在允许的总捕捞量，重建枯竭的种群，使兼捕量最小化和对捕捞影响最小化方面表现出明显的一致性。污染者付钱，并且还采用了用户付费原则。在这项研究中发现缺乏的领域包括设定EAF和生态系统完整性的指标。评估还指出，缺乏关于预防措施原则的指导方针，也没有关于配额和权利分配过程的透明政策。还没有制定管理跨界鱼类物种的战略。总体而言，这项评估表明，纳米比亚和其他国家要成功实施渔业生态系统方法需要克服复杂性和挑战。还没有制定管理跨界鱼类物种的战略。总体而言，这项评估表明，纳米比亚和其他国家要成功实施渔业生态系统方法需要克服复杂性和挑战。还没有制定管理跨界鱼类物种的战略。总体而言，这项评估表明，纳米比亚和其他国家要成功实施渔业生态系统方法需要克服复杂性和挑战。