Johan Eklöf, Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences (DEEP).
Johan Eklöf, Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences.

Fishy consumers and selfish engineers; an intimate relationship in the global ocean

The first keynote described key factors for ecosystems in the coastal zone. Are for example the global losses of large piscivorous fish and foundation species, such as corals, kelp and seagrasses, linked or separate issues?

The talk also explained 'reciprocal facilitation' and its key roles. Positive reciprocal interactions between organism can both enhance production, diversity and services and lead to higher resilience to some disturbances, but on the other hand also lead to higher sensitivity to other disturbances, and make the ecosystem more prone to sudden collapse. This knowledge is important to include in management of coastal ecosystems, where both predators and foundation species are declining.

Henrik Österblom, Stockholm Resilience Centre.
Henrik Österblom, Stockholm Resilience Centre.

Can some actors influence marine ecosystems at the global level?

The second keynote described the fishing industry, historically and currently, and showed results on how a few international actors have influence on fisheries and aquaculture production globally. Together these few companies control 19-40% of several of the world’s largest or most valuable capture fisheries. They also influence politics by for example lobbyism and taking part in policy groups at leading positions.

- So the answer is yes; key actors can have a disproportional impact on marine ecosystems, globally. It is therefore important to understand that sustainability strategies targeting such actors will have disproportionate impacts, Henrik Österblom concluded.

What can we do?

After the wortwhile presentations a group of researchers including the keynote speakers, continued talking about how fish lies in our human hands and what there is to do. The experts agreed there is more to be done, especially regarding connecting research and policy issues and communication between groups and to society. 

- We still know a lot more about fresh-water systems, where model studies and experiments are easier to conduct and has been studied since long, than our large and complex sea ecosystems, according to Sofia Wikström, marine ecologist. Therefore the knowledge that comes from new projects investigating the role of fish in the ecosystem are very important.

- On the other hand there is so much useful knowledge already, Gustaf Almqvist, fisheries policy specialist, pointed out. I think we need to provide decision makers with good information on both possible scenarios and consequenses of their different decisions.

- We ecologists need to get more involved with both managers and the resource users, like the fishermen, said Johan Eklöf.

- Yes, Henrik Österblom agreed, we're moving towards branching out our knowledge on how large systems operate, thanks to greater available data resources and analysis-methods. The results really need to be communicated in a successful way now. 

Panel talk with Gustaf Almqvist (Baltic Sea Centre), Johan Eklöf (DEEP), Sofia Wikström (Baltic Sea Centre) and Henrik Österblom (SRC)
Panel talk with Gustaf Almqvist (Baltic Sea Centre), Johan Eklöf (DEEP), Sofia Wikström (Baltic Sea Centre) and Henrik Österblom (SRC).
 

Baltic Seminar: Fish in human hands

Program

16:00-16:30 Keynote speakers

Juvenile perch. Photo: Joakim Hansen/Baltic Sea Centre.
Juvenile perch. Photo: Joakim Hansen/Baltic Sea Centre.

16:30-17.00 Moderated panel talk including audience questions, participants: 

Moderated by Henrik Hamrén, Baltic Sea Centre

Why Baltic Seminar?

Baltic Seminar is a seminar serie aiming to promote current marine issues related to Stockholm University, and strengthen its marine research community. All university employees and students are welcome, as well as affiliated who work with marine science!

Baltic Bar

17:00-19:00 Mingle and networking with collegues.