Developing Tools

Shifts from single-species management and traditional conservation planning to EBM are rapidly increasing the scope and complexity of EBM tools. For most of the past 20 years, tool development has focused on relatively simple stock assessment models and conservation site selection algorithms. EBM tools, however, need to account for a wide range of factors, particularly dynamic ecosystem processes and socioeconomic factors.

To avoid developing tools that are too complex to actually be useful to scientists and managers, EBM tools should be MODULAR and INTEROPERABLE. Modular, interoperable tools (as opposed to hypothetical "Supertools" which perform all EBM tasks) give EBM implementers the flexibility to fit tools to their particular situation and needs and allows tools to be updated and improved with relative ease.

Developing tools that adhere to national and international tool and data standards promote interoperability between tools. See the Open Geospatial Consortium Standards, Federal Geographic Data Committee Standards, and NOAA Fisheries Best Practices, Standards, and Protocols for Coastal and Marine Data for more information.

Related Links

• Learn where additional tool development is needed.
• Find funding for tool development.