Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Implementation Plans

To advance our efforts to implement Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management, NOAA Fisheries developed Implementation Plans that identify priority actions and milestones for the next five years.

Implementation Plans by Region

• Download Alaska Plan (PDF, 23 pages)   
• Download West Coast Plan (PDF, 27 pages)
• Download Pacific Islands Plan (PDF, 39 pages)
• Download Gulf of Mexico Plan (PDF, 19 pages)
• Download South Atlantic Plan (PDF, 17 pages)
• Download Caribbean Plan (PDF, 15 pages)
• Download Northeast Plan (PDF, 25 pages)
• Download Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Plan (PDF, 28 pages)
• Download NOAA Fisheries Headquarters Plan (PDF, 15 pages)

Fishery Ecosystem Plans

Regional fishery management councils develop fishery ecosystem plans as a metric to help fishery managers determine whether management effectively incorporates core ecosystem principles. Fishery ecosystem plans:

• Provide a clear description and understanding of the fundamental physical, biological, and human/institutional context of ecosystems within which fisheries are managed.
• Direct how that information should be used in the context of fishery management plans.
• Set policies that guide development and implementation of fishery management options.

The following regional fishery management councils have developed fishery ecosystem plans:

North Pacific Fishery Management Council

• Aleutian Islands

• Bering Sea

Western Pacific Fishery Management Council

• American Samoa
• Marianas
• Hawaii
• Pacific Remote Islands Area
• Pelagics

Pacific Fishery Management Council

• Pacific

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 

• South Atlantic

More Information

Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management