Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) - Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) - Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Workshop Report

On October 4th, 2022 the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC or Council) joined the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and the Pacific Island Regional Office (PIRO) to map out the implementation of Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management (EBFM) in the Pacific Islands. This inclusive approach works towards sustainable management of the breadth of ecosystem components and management unit species, bringing additional elements into play, such as interactions with other species, the effects of environmental changes, or pollution and other stressors on habitat and water quality. EBFM ensures that fishery managers consider these additional elements to more effectively assess the health of any given fishery and determine the best way to maintain it. EBFM cannot succeed without effective, transparent, and frequent communication allowing adaptive management to respond to emerging science. This workshop provided the opportunity to share priorities and capabilities, as well as to listen, talk, and brainstorm activities that can be achieved in the next 5–10 years.