Are we in the position of understanding marine ecosystem based management? A literature review

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Ecosystem based management takes into account the interconnectedness and interdependent nature of ecosystem components and emphasizes the importance of ecosystem structures and functions which provide us with a range of services. The concept has now been adopted by many international agreements and national governments and is in the process of being implemented. This paper seeks to review the literature on the subject and to analyze our understanding of the subject. The term is defined and its implementation in fisheries and for all marine uses is analyzed. To conclude some of the main aspects of EBM are revisited, while the importance of learning from other institutions and reducing costs are highlighted. Finally, the need for reducing consumption of fish is considered