Multispecies Portfolios of U.S. Marine Fisheries: Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Reduces Economic Risk

Regional fisheries and financial portfolios share a key similarity: both involve managing resources (fish stocks or financial assets) with the goal of maximizing returns while minimizing risks. In financial portfolios, individuals choose a mix of assets based on risk tolerance and expected returns, aiming to balance higher-risk investments with lower-risk ones. Similarly, fisheries managers can apply portfolio optimization techniques to manage fish stocks across species and ecosystems to balance sustainability and profitability.

Researchers from NOAA Fisheries and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth suggest that by treating fisheries revenues like financial portfolios, resource managers could improve decision-making. Fisheries, like investment portfolios, face uncertainty and risk—such as fluctuations in fish populations, environmental changes, and market conditions. Applying portfolio optimization allows for a more balanced approach, where managers consider the risk and return associated with various species, aiming for a more sustainable harvest.

The study highlights the benefits of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) over single-stock management. While single-stock management focuses on individual species, EBFM looks at the whole ecosystem, recognizing the interdependencies among species. This broader approach reduces overall risk, as shown by the study’s “risk gap” analysis, which found that EBFM generates lower risks compared to single-species approaches.

Dr. Howard Townsend, the lead author of the study, points out that EBFM doesn’t necessarily mean fishing less—it’s about fishing more efficiently and making trade-offs based on the risks and benefits of targeting different species. This approach is particularly valuable in the face of climate change, where increasing uncertainty about ocean conditions could impact fish populations. By applying financial portfolio principles, fisheries managers can make more resilient, informed decisions, minimizing the risks associated with environmental and economic unpredictability.