Fishery reforms for the management of non-indigenous species

Marine ecosystems are undergoing major transformations due to the establishment and spread of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS). Some these organisms have adverse effects, for example by reducing biodiversity causing ecosystem shifts. Others upsides, such as benefits fisheries or replacing lost ecological functions strengthening biogenic complexity. Stopping NIS is virtually impossible so societal challenge how limit socioeconomic, health, risks, sustainably exploit provided organisms. We propose a move away from notion that only negative suggest turn towards an Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management approach (EBFM-NIS) in Mediterranean Sea, world's most invaded marine region. A structured, iterative, adaptive framework considers range costs ecosystems, services, set out determine whether stocks should be managed using sustainable unsustainable exploitation. fishery reforms multiannual plans, annual catch limits, technical measures exploitation, legitimization unlimited fishing selected introduction radical new license Depending on local conditions, investment strategies can included within EBFM-NIS protect/enhance natural assets improve resilience against NIS, well performance fisheries. Examples former include enhancement Protected Areas, harvesting invasive MPAs, protection overfished predators key species. latter market promotion valorisation products, development novel innovative/alternative fishery-related tourism (‘pescatourism’). The application suggested would create jobs, protect enhance help meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve use oceans, seas, resources development. • (NIS) reshaping ecosystems. Fisheries need adapt socioeconomic losses. Exploitation strategy each based cost-benefit analysis. Policy proposed exploitation strategy. Investment capital essential.