To demonstrate adherence to the 'Khalifah' principle in a large-scale commercial fishing operation, what specific long-term resource management practice must be demonstrably integrated into the operational plan?

The 'Khalifah' principle is an Islamic concept signifying humanity's role as stewards or vicegerents of Earth, entrusted by God with the responsible guardianship of its resources. Adherence requires managing resources sustainably, ensuring their preservation and abundance for present and future generations, while avoiding waste, damage, or depletion. In a large-scale commercial fishing operation, the specific long-term resource management practice that must be demonstrably integrated into the operational plan to embody the 'Khalifah' principle is Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM). Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management is a holistic approach that manages fisheries not just by targeting individual fish stocks, but by considering the entire marine ecosystem, including the habitats, trophic relationships (food web interactions), and the physical and chemical environment, as well as human activities. This approach directly embodies the 'Khalifah' principle by extending stewardship beyond a single resource to the health and integrity of the entire ecosystem, seeking to balance sustainable fishing with the long-term health and productivity of marine environments. To be demonstrably integrated, EBFM requires several key components within the operational plan. Firstly, comprehensive resource assessment and monitoring must be established to continuously evaluate the status of target fish stocks, non-target species, and the overall ecosystem health. This includes scientific surveys and data collection on fish populations, their reproductive capacity, and their role within the food web. Secondly, establishment and strict adherence to biologically sound harvest control rules and quotas are essential, ensuring that fishing effort and catch levels remain within the ecosystem's capacity to regenerate. These quotas are set based on scientific assessments and aim for sustainable yield, which means harvesting fish at a rate that allows the population to replenish itself naturally without decline. Thirdly, the operational plan must include measures for habitat protection and restoration, identifying and safeguarding critical marine habitats like spawning grounds, nurseries, and coral reefs from damage caused by fishing gear or activities. Fourthly, bycatch reduction strategies are crucial, implementing technologies and practices to minimize the incidental capture of non-target species, including marine mammals, birds, and juvenile fish, and ensuring any unavoidable bycatch is handled responsibly. Fifthly, the plan must incorporate the precautionary principle, meaning that in situations of scientific uncertainty regarding a particular stock or ecosystem impact, conservation measures are prioritized to prevent potential irreversible harm. Finally, regular reporting and adaptive management processes are necessary, where operational data, monitoring results, and scientific findings are continually reviewed, and the management plan is adjusted as needed to respond to changing ecosystem conditions or new scientific understanding, thereby ensuring continuous adherence to sustainable practices and responsible stewardship as mandated by the 'Khalifah' principle.