A garden of forking paths: an ecosystem-based fisheries management case study of Florida red tides

Abstract Ecosystem-based fisheries management is a crucial advancement to address natural and anthropogenic stressors on marine ecosystems. Although there has been a shift toward more holistic management approaches over the past few decades, Fishery Management Councils still face challenges in implementing ecosystem-based strategies. Here, we present a case study on incorporating harmful algal blooms, known as red tides, into U.S. federal fisheries management on the West Florida Shelf. Red tides are first defined as a fishery ecosystem issue by outlining their ecological, economic, and societal impacts on the relevant fisheries. We then review the history of including red tides in the stock assessment process and how management actions have responded to episodic mortality attributed to devastating red tides. Fishery managers have encountered significant challenges when addressing red tides because the root causes are beyond fisheries management jurisdiction. The primary method to account for red tides in fisheries management has been to incorporate extra mortality in stock assessments. While integrating ecosystem information can reduce scientific uncertainty in stock assessments, the setting of catch limits also benefits from such information. Red tide-related management actions have been reactive, and frequent reversals of catch advice highlight the complexity of red tide impacts. The directionality of catch advice for Gulf groupers has been dependent upon additional information such as ecosystem modeling results and stakeholder observations. We offer a review of potential fishery management policy options that include, but are not limited to, the management of fishing mortality. We outline research recommendations to better characterize impacts and inform fisheries management’s response to red tides. Effective ecosystem-based fisheries management necessitates a clear definition of the problem, goals, expectations, metrics to measure progress, and a work plan that includes stakeholder engagement.