Responsive Fisheries Management System (RFMS)

RFMS is a term generated for use in the EcoFishMan proposal, and it is used to refer to the new system that we are proposing to develop. The RFMS is an adaptive management system that is results-based and ecosystem-based. The RFMS attempts to reduce micro-management by involving stakeholders and increase the degree of co-management. 

Adaptive Management

A structured, iterative process of optimal decision making in the face of uncertainty that regularly and frequently adjusts to changing circumstances. The essence of adaptive management is a structured process of "learning by doing", involving a combination of approaches, including modelling and empirical management experimentation. 

Co-Management

In general defined as “the sharing of power and responsibility for resource management between the government and local resource users”. 

Distributed database

Database that is under the control of a central database management system in which storage devices are not all attached to a common central processing unit. It will be dispersed over a network of interconnected computers.

Ecosystem-based Management

A means of achieving healthy, fully functioning ecosystems and human communities. ICES defines the ecosystem approach as “integrated management of human activities based on knowledge of ecosystem dynamics to achieve sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services, and maintenance of ecosystem integrity”. 

Indicator

In general, indicators are measurable variables that can be used to determine the degree of adherence to a standard or the level of quality achieved. In EcoFishMan we have biological, economic, social and legal indicators, and they are used to determine to what degree a management system (the RFMS in particular) fulfils the defined outcome targets.

Management Plan

According to principal-agent theory, a device by which a central authority, the principal, can instruct and delegate management tasks to a regional body, the agent. In EcoFishMan, the management plan is the tool developed to guide the implementation of recommendations in the RFMS in practise.

Micro-management

In general, defined as exercising excessive and detailed control of a project or group of people. In fisheries management, detailed allocation of quotas and control of individual vessels. 

Outcome targets

Specific and measureable performance goals defined for a fishery on the basis of agreed and appropriately authorized general goals, standards and principles, as defined by the authorities based on the policy objectives. Outcome targets are found in policy documents, for instance the specific objectives for the future CFP listed in the Green Paper on the future of the common fisheries policy.

Precautionary principle / approach

The precautionary principle contains two key elements:

1. an expression of a need by decision-makers to anticipate harm before it occurs. Within this element lies an implicit reversal of the burden of proof; under the precautionary principle it is the responsibility of an activity proponent to establish that the proposed activity will not (or is very unlikely to) result in significant harm.
2. the establishment of an obligation, if the level of harm may be high, for action to prevent or minimise such harm even when the absence of scientific certainty makes it difficult to predict the likelihood of harm occurring, or the level of harm should it occur.

Results-based management (RBM)

Defining a maximum acceptable negative impact and then leaving it to those concerned to identify the means to meet the requirements and to document the effectiveness of the means.