Consideration of major issues in ecosystem monitoring and management

The requirements of an ecosystem approach to management of Southern Ocean resources are outlined. This highlights the need for information on harvested and dependent species their interaction and the manner in which their populations vary naturally. Large scale interactions are catered for the Krill Yield Model. Smaller scale interactions centre around three main categories, the availability of krill and variation in vital rates of the dependent species and the overlap between commercial fishing and predator foraging. The CCAMLR Ecosystem Monitoring Programme (CEMP) provides a good framework within which to investigate krill availability. Vital rates can be investigated directly and also with respect to CEMP. Overlap between fishing and predator foraging is being monitored. A mechanism for bringing these various components together as an ecosystem approach to management is discussed.