Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Implementation Plans
These plans complement work already underway by Regional Fishery Management Councils through fishery management plans and fishery ecosystem 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: