An ecosystem-based fisheries assessment approach and management system for the Red Sea

Fish captures from the Red Sea in the Egyptian waters have sharply declined from 73,549 metric tons in 2001 to 44,000 metric tons in 2010. Our research was conducted using an ecosystem-based fisheries assessment (EBFA) approach and a Tier 2 qualitative assessment. The periods 2002 and 2012 were targeted for assessment the status of fish stocks. Nested risk indices, such as objectives risk index(ORI), species risk index(SRI), fishery risk index (FRI)and ecosystem risk index (ERI)were also implemented.The results of the reference point indicators were compared with those from 2002 and 2012 to show the assessment of species, fisheries and ecosystems in both years.Management status for year 2012 exhibited significant negative change compared that in 2002 regarding attributes such as sustainability, biodiversity, habitat quality and socio-economics. Seven fish species were chosen as the target species and SRI was assessed by the Tier 2 approach. The results showed that 80 % of indicators are found in the safe zone with green colour; 18.1 % are located in the limited range or yellow zone; 1.9 %arelocated beyond the safety limits or in the red zone in 2002. For 2012, 27.6 % of indicators in safe zone with green colour were recorded, with 48.6 % in the limited range or yellow zone and 23.8 % in out of safety limits or red zone. Purse seine, trawl and longline nets accounted for 89.43 % in 2002 and 80.3 %in 2012. FRI values were recorded at 0.44, 0.79 and 0.46 respectively in 2002 and located in the safe zone with green colour. Furthermore, in 2012, FRI values were recorded at 1.78, 1.85 and 1.24 respectively and moved to limited range or the yellow zone.ERI was recorded at 0.70 in 2002 (safe zone with green colour) but in 2012 it was recorded at 1.69 (limited range or yellow zone). The results showed significant negative changes in 2012 compared to that in 2002 based on sustainability of fish stock, catch biodiversity,habitat quality and socio-economics. Four management objectives are recommended for reducing risk indices and improve the ecosystem of the Red Sea.