The right tools for the job: Considerations for the implementation of an ecosystem-based management approach for marine ecosystems
Abstract Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is vital for sustainably managing marine ecosystems. A range of decision-making tools have been developed to support EBM, but marine EBM implementation globally remains slow. We provide a framework for tool selection and integration into EBM. Drawing on two cases involving researcher and end-user engagement, we identify nine key lessons to improve tool adoption for EBM with the aim of enhancing marine management and ecosystem protection.
Authors
- D. J. Martin
- Judi E. Hewitt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5083-9715)
- Joanne I. Ellis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2625-4274)
- Joey Gouws
- Vera Rullens (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0200-9442)
- Georgina J. L. Flowers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6298-8091)
- Ian Tuck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7014-2077)
- Richard Hugh Bulmer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9412-827X)
- Rob Major
- Fabrice Stephenson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9500-5204)
- Rebecca R. Gentry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1739-6203)
- A.-M. Schwarz
- Maria Armoudian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6376-8015)
- Conrad A. Pilditch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9779-5959)
- Shane W. Geange (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0679-0272)
- Rebecca V. Gladstone‐Gallagher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1745-2084)
- Marjan van den Belt
- D. E. Clark (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7358-1809)
- L. Douglas
- JP Davis
- A. A. Kainamu
Institutions
- The Nature Conservancy (US)
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AU)
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- Lincoln University (NZ)
- University of Wollongong (AU)
- Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ)
- Department of Conservation (NZ)
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NZ)
- University of Waikato (NZ)
- Cawthron Institute (NZ)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research (NZ)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Ocean Sustainability
- Published
- 2025-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00146-1
- Primary Topic
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
- University of Waikato
- Nature Conservancy
- Newcastle University
- University of Wollongong
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment