Ecosystems have real thresholds and limits which, when exceeded, can affect major system
restructuring. Once thresholds and limits have been exceeded, changes can be irreversible. Diversity is
important to ecosystem functioning. The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated
management of land, water, and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an
equitable way. The application of the ecosystem approach will help to reach a balance of the three
main objectives: conservation, sustainable use, and a fair and equitable sharing of the benefits and use
of the natural resources. Aquaculture development needs to be within the carrying capacity of the water
resource so that it is sustainable and does not greatly impact the environment. The determination of the
carrying capacity needs to be science-based.
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