title: Transnational corporations as 'keystone actors' in marine ecosystems.
abstract: Keystone species have a disproportionate influence on the structure and function of ecosystems. Here we analyze whether a keystone-like pattern can be observed in the relationship between transnational corporations and marine ecosystems globally. We show how thirteen corporations control 11-16% of the global marine catch (9-13 million tons) and 19-40% of the largest and most valuable stocks, including species that play important roles in their respective ecosystem. They dominate all segments of seafood production, operate through an extensive global network of subsidiaries and are profoundly involved in fisheries and aquaculture decision-making. Based on our findings, we define these companies as keystone actors of the Anthropocene. The phenomenon of keystone actors represents an increasingly important feature of the human-dominated world. Sustainable leadership by keystone actors could result in cascading effects throughout the entire seafood industry and enable a critical transition towards improved management of marine living resources and ecosystems.
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Österblom
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden; Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Academy Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jouffray
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden; Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Academy Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden; Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Folke
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden; Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Academy Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crona
authors.affiliation: Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Academy Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden; Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troell
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merrie
authors.affiliation: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rockström
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D017753:Ecosystem; D005398:Fisheries; D007221:Industry; D038622:Internationality; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D057766:Policy; D011362:Professional Corporations