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Maintaining ecological stability for sustainable economic yields of multispecies fisheries in complex food webs

Author

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  • Alexandra S. Werner

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Myriam R. Hirt

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Remo Ryser

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Kira Lancker

    (Leipzig University)

  • Georg Albert

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena
    University of Göttingen)

  • Martin Quaas

    (Leipzig University)

  • Christopher Rackauckas

    (Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Benoit Gauzens

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

  • Ulrich Brose

    (German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
    Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Abstract

Fish stocks are increasingly overexploited due to the growing global demand for seafood. As these species are embedded in complex food webs, traditional single-species management plans should be replaced by models that integrate multi-species fisheries with economic market feedbacks into complex food webs to promote sustainable resource use. Here, we develop such a dynamic model involving three open-access fisheries in a complex food web. Systematically comparing six fishing scenarios, we find that targeting low or high trophic levels risks reducing basal biomass or triggering trophic cascades that undermine first ecological stability (food web biomass and persistence) and then sustainability of economic returns (total sustainable catch and revenue). High sustainable economic returns combined with low negative ecological impacts occur when similar mid-trophic level species are caught in multispecies fisheries. We conclude that complex systems analysis can help design ecosystem-based management strategies to achieve a sustainable food supply for the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra S. Werner & Myriam R. Hirt & Remo Ryser & Kira Lancker & Georg Albert & Martin Quaas & Christopher Rackauckas & Benoit Gauzens & Ulrich Brose, 2025. "Maintaining ecological stability for sustainable economic yields of multispecies fisheries in complex food webs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64179-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64179-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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