Fishery experts focus on managing ecosystems under stress

Scientists, policymakers, and fishermen will discuss what is being done to apply a more comprehensive, ecosystem-based approach to managing ocean resources during the 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, being held this year Aug. 16-20 in Portland. Warming temperatures, overfishing, and habitat destruction are among the threats affecting U.S. ocean ecosystems. The symposia will be among thousands of presentations and talks on the latest advances in fisheries research, conservation, and policy measures. Several sessions explore various aspects of ecosystem-based fisheries management, and two are highlighted below.

WHAT: Symposia focused on an ecosystem-based approach to ocean management.

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 17

1:20-5:20 p.m. PST

"The Next Generation of Ecosystem Based Fishery Management"

Scientists and policymakers will discuss implementation of ecosystem-based fishery management, including efforts under way by the Lenfest Fishery Ecosystem Task Force.

MODERATOR: Tim Essington, fishery scientist at the University of Washington and co-chair of the Lenfest task force, essing@u.washington.edu

FULL PANEL: https://afs.confex.com/afs/2015/webprogram/Session3529.html

Tuesday, Aug. 18

10:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. PST "Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management: It's Not as Daunting as Some Think"Fishermen, fishery managers, and scientists talk about how they are already putting a big-picture approach to work on the water.

CONTACT: Rebecca Goldburg, environmental science director at The Pew Charitable Trusts, rgoldburg@pewtrusts.org

FULL PANEL: https://afs.confex.com/afs/2015/webprogram/Session3507.html

WHERE: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97232

PRESS: Contact Beth Beard, American Fisheries Society, for complimentary registration at bbeard@fisheries.org or 301-897-8616, ext. 215.

Provided by Pew Charitable Trusts, Ocean Science