Recasting how we approach the science and management of marine capture fisheries in the United States: Or why we need to advance ecosystem-based fisheries management

Abstract Marine fisheries are an important part of the United States. These fisheries are important components of coastal communities, regional economies, and marine ecosystems. Largely under the auspices of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States is a global leader in the sustainable fisheries industry. For many reasons described herein, we assert that major revisions to how we manage federal marine fisheries are needed, and we posit that now is the time to make these changes. We acknowledge that there are challenges to our proposed revisions to the science-to-management process, including the following: Ecosystem-based fisheries management is currently permitted but not required under law; questions remain about appropriate management of weak-stock fisheries under single-species or ecosystem management; and institutional inertia and the desire to maintain status quo, among others. We also posit that changing to and starting with an ecosystem-oriented focus can improve ecosystem resilience, reduce management complexity, and ultimately improve economic performance. We present an eight-step proposal to engender meaningful action for how to better meet the mission of managing the nation’s living marine resources.