Social Influences on Adoption of Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management: Lessons from Marine Governance Strategies for Great Lakes Fisheries

National Ocean Policy prioritizes ecosystem-based management (EBM) for both marine and Great Lakes ecosystems.  I studied the influence of social factors on the New England and Mid-Atlantic fishery management councils’ transition to ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) for marine fisheries.  Lessons learned about marine fisheries governance of EBFM may be relevant to Great Lakes fisheries, given the common overarching institutional framework.   In July 2010, President Obama signed an Executive Order to create a National Ocean Policy called “Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes”, directing government agencies and affiliated entities, including the regional fishery management councils, to prioritize EBM in ocean and coastal management initiatives.  I summarize the themes that impact regional fishery management practice of marine EBFM and suggest how they may be applicable to Great Lakes fisheries governance related to EBFM.  Qualitative methods, including an information review, meeting observations, preliminary introductions and semi-structured interviews, and quantitative methods including a mail questionnaire, are used in the study.