The FAO – EAF toolbox: Making the ecosystem approach accessible to all fisheries

•The Ecosytem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) has been standardised into four main steps that are the same for all fisheries.•The methods to complete each of the four EAF steps will vary depending upon the fishery and the capacity of those involved.•The web based, expert system explains EAF at differing levels of complexity and helps select the best set of methods.•A total of sixty tools have been included with at least one easy tool for each key activity in the EAF process.•Implementing EAF is now feasible for all fisheries including those with low financial, knowledge and technical capacities.

The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) was adopted by COFI in 2003 to assist implement the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, UNCLOS and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Despite the principles of EAF having now been outlined for 10 years, the rate of adoption has been lower than desirable to achieve international commitments. Many fishery managers still perceive EAF as too difficult to implement, but for most fisheries it can be relatively simple, especially with the tools now available. Consequently, the FAO initiated development of an EAF Toolbox to provide improved access to knowledge of the EAF process and tools suitable for its implementation. This toolbox (www.fao.org/fishery/eaf-net) uses a web based, expert system designed to help a wide variety of fishery stakeholders better understand EAF and assist with the selection of the most appropriate set of tools for their situation. Using the toolbox makes implementing EAF technically feasible for all fisheries irrespective of their value or the level of resources and data, but impediments including insufficient institutional, stakeholder and political commitment may still affect its adoption in some locations.