Goal
Based on the March 2007 EBM workshop, this work group has the following goal:

• To have a vision statement for ecosystem-based management in the Gulf of Maine that is accepted by the region’s stakeholders.

Work group members
List of members


Preliminary work plan for developing EBM framework for the Gulf of Maine (November 20, 2007)
At our October 2, 2007, Work Group meeting at UNH, we discussed the scope and scale of an implementation framework for EBM in the Gulf of Maine. We also discussed the need for applying this framework in specific places such as Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Massachusetts on behalf of the MA Ocean Partnership Fund (MOPF). The Work Group co-leads have drafted a proposal for the Work Group draw on the resources of its members to do preliminary research on the creation of an adaptable framework for use at various sites throughout the region. MOPF has offered to put initial resources into this process. However, we are asking this work group to act as an advisory body for Phase I below.

Questions for the work group to contemplate as we move forward:

1. Can the following process accomplish both collective and individual goals, i.e. can we work collaboratively to produce a regional framework that is easily adaptable to Massachusetts and to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, for instance.
2. Can we pool resources and/or find resources together so that ultimately we are saving each of our individual organizations time and money?

To be effective, the regional framework must:

• be developed through a collaborative process, with participation from a range of partners (resource management decision makers, industry, conservation, science communities, policymakers and other stakeholders);
• address conceptual goals, operational objectives and practical implementation requirements of ecosystem-based management (such as those suggested by R. Stephenson/DFO);
• be responsive to the particulars of the Gulf of Maine context (its political, economic, ecosystem and other characteristics) while drawing from existing EBM frameworks developed by others;
• be scaleable and adaptable for a variety of potential uses; and
• ultimately, be embraced by management/policy decision makers and other partners.

Between January 2008 and June 2008 the work group will advise an EBM framework assessment project funded by MOPF. Sketched out below is a very rough work plan.

Phase 1 (Jan-June 2008): Assess current knowledge related to EBM frameworks at various spatial and temporal scales.
A hired consultant will review and analyze existing EBM-related models including: Canadian MSE/EAM model, UNESCO marine spatial planning (ocean "zoning"), Green Accounting, and other relevant models.  He/she will conduct interviews, meetings, literature search and produce a written summary of research: identify strengths and shortcomings of each model relative to applicability to the Massachusetts / Gulf of Maine, identify preliminary architecture for framework. (Project funded by MOPF)

Phase 2 (June 2008): Regroup to determine next steps for Massachusetts and for the Gulf of Maine based on framework assessment.