ObjectiveTo support the movement in marine fisheries management toward ecosystem‐based fisheries management by exploring ecosystem‐level reference points (ELRPs) as an option for managing fisheries at the ecosystem level. An ELRP is an ecosystem harvest level or indicator with one or more associated benchmarks or thresholds (i.e., targets, limits) to identify, monitor, or maintain desirable ecosystem conditions and functions.MethodsThis paper explores the development and implementation of ELRPs in fisheries management to support ecosystem and fisheries sustainability, help identify when ecosystem changes that impact fisheries resources occur, and foster discussions of trade‐offs in management decisions.ResultWe organize existing and potential ELRPs into five categories (statistical analysis of nonlinear dynamics and tipping points, ecosystem productivity, ecosystem trophic information, biodiversity, and human dimensions), provide an overview of analytical methods that can estimate ELRP benchmarks, provide examples of where ELRP benchmarks are being used today, and evaluate pros and cons of the different ELRP categories. We also attempt to identify potential next steps for fisheries scientists and managers to further the science, development, and application of ELRPs.ConclusionEcosystem‐level reference points can be used as a proactive accountability mechanism to achieve ecosystem objectives and maintain the ecosystem in a preferred operating space or as an early warning that ecosystem‐level changes (e.g., tipping points) could be imminent if current biological and ecological trends in the system continue.

中文翻译：

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生态系统层面的参考点：转向基于生态系统的渔业管理

目标 通过探索生态系统水平参考点（ELRP）作为生态系统水平渔业管理的一种选择，支持海洋渔业管理向基于生态系统的渔业管理迈进。 ELRP 是一种生态系统收获水平或指标，具有一个或多个相关基准或阈值（即目标、限制），用于识别、监测或维持理想的生态系统条件和功能。方法本文探讨了渔业管理中 ELRP 的制定和实施，以支持生态系统和渔业的可持续性，帮助确定影响渔业资源的生态系统变化何时发生，并促进管理决策权衡的讨论。结果我们将现有和潜在的 ELRP 分为五类（非线性动态和临界点的统计分析、生态系统生产力、生态系统营养信息、生物多样性和人类维度），概述了可以估计 ELRP 基准的分析方法，提供了当今使用 ELRP 基准的示例，并评估了不同 ELRP 类别的优缺点。我们还尝试确定渔业科学家和管理人员进一步推进 ELRP 的科学、开发和应用的潜在后续步骤。结论生态系统级参考点可以用作主动问责机制，以实现生态系统目标并将生态系统维持在首选运行状态空间或作为早期警告，如果系统中当前的生物和生态趋势继续下去，生态系统水平的变化（例如，临界点）可能即将发生。