In most regions, “management procedure” and “harvest strategy” are used synonymously. However, in some regions, like the western Pacific, a management procedure is considered a type of harvest strategy. In that case, the distinction is that a “harvest strategy” is a more general management framework, whereas each component of a “management procedure” is formally specified, and the combination of monitoring data, analysis method, and harvest control rule has been simulation tested using MSE to demonstrate adequately robust performance in the face of plausible uncertainties about stock and fishery dynamics. It is this definition that HarvestStrategies.org uses for “management procedure” and “harvest strategy.”
Effective long-term management of the world’s fish stocks requires science, stakeholder engagement, and advanced planning. Harvest strategies can help enable effective fisheries management by:
Check out our animation, “Fishing for the Future: The Case for Harvest Strategies,” and our blogs to learn more about the benefits of harvest strategies.
Robust harvest strategies, before they are implemented, are tested through a scientific process called management strategy evaluation (MSE), used to simulate the workings of a fisheries system and test whether potential harvest strategies can achieve the pre-agreed management objectives. MSE helps to identify the harvest strategy likely to perform best, regardless of uncertainty, and balance trade-offs amid competing management objectives. Because MSE is so fundamental to harvest strategies, some consider the term to encompass the process of harvest strategy development itself. Explore our data visualization tools for MSE results, and check out our animation to learn more about MSE.
In most regions, “management procedure” and “harvest strategy” are used synonymously. However, in some regions, like the western Pacific, a management procedure is considered a type of harvest strategy. In that case, the distinction is that a “harvest strategy” is a more general management framework, whereas each component of a “management procedure” is formally specified, and the combination of monitoring data, analysis method, and harvest control rule has been simulation tested using MSE to demonstrate adequately robust performance in the face of plausible uncertainties about stock and fishery dynamics. It is this definition that HarvestStrategies.org uses for “management procedure” and “harvest strategy.”
A harvest strategy, also known as a management procedure, is a pre-agreed framework for making fisheries management decisions (such as catch or effort limits) to achieve a long-term vision for the fish and fishery. Before they are implemented, robust harvest strategies are tested through a process that involves fishery scientists, managers, and other stakeholders, which is called management strategy evaluation (MSE).
Check out our resources to learn more about the basic elements of a harvest strategy and how the process works.
Great news! You’ve come to the right place. At Harvest Strategies.org, we offer a range of resources to help stakeholders understand and actively participate in the development and implementation of harvest strategies. Here are some quick links to get you started:
For all these resources and more, explore HarvestStrategies.org. Keep an eye out for updates on our new e-learning course!
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International agreements play a critical role in the adoption of harvest strategies by establishing the legal and regulatory frameworks that encourage or require their use. Key global instruments, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA), call for the application of precautionary and ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management, both of which are supported by the development and implementation of harvest strategies.
The UNFSA and FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries emphasize using reference points to trigger management responses—the essence of harvest strategies. Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are uniquely positioned to operationalize these international commitments by developing harvest strategies. Many RFMOs have already made progress in advancing these tools to sustainably manage fish stocks.
To explore how far RFMOs have come, check out these examples of adopted harvest strategies: https://harveststrategies.org/case-studies-of-harvest-strategies-in-global-fisheries/rfmo-hs-management-measures/
Many Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) have created official working groups dedicated to discussions about harvest strategies, simultaneously providing an opportunity for education and capacity building and soliciting input and feedback. In this way, the working groups help to steer the development process. These groups typically meet intersessionally, including scientists, managers, industry stakeholders, and NGO representatives. These science-management dialogue (SMD) groups are an essential part of harvest strategy development, helping to facilitate a conversation focused on laying out objectives, timelines, management strategy evaluation (MSE) workplans, and educational materials that move the process toward adoption.
For more information, check out this journal article on stakeholder participation in MSE and our factsheet and infographic outlining how to put a management procedure together and the role of different stakeholder groups.
Harvest strategies contribute significantly to the economic viability of fisheries by promoting long-term sustainability and stability, which in turn helps bolster fishing opportunities and market confidence. Harvest strategies provide the fishing industry with the stability needed for business planning and investment by ensuring that management decisions are predictable and based on data-driven benchmarks. This predictability helps mitigate risks associated with overfishing or sudden regulatory changes and enhances access to new markets through sustainable seafood certifications.
Fisheries that follow scientifically sound harvest strategies are more likely to meet the requirements for eco-labeling programs such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), opening doors to higher-value markets and consumer demand for sustainably sourced products. Also, maintaining target abundance levels ensures healthy fish populations, benefiting the ecosystem and fishery. Healthy stocks translate to more consistent yields, reducing variability in catches and improving the long-term profitability of the industry.