Management objectives are formally adopted goals for a stock and fishery. Within a harvest strategy, operational objectives must be specific and measurable, with associated timelines and minimum required likelihoods that they can be achieved. Setting management objectives is the critical first step in developing a harvest strategy. They set the vision for the fishery and provide mechanisms for measuring the strategy’s long-term success. Management objectives can be modified, but if the harvest strategy is going to be effective, it’s critical that modifications occur only if the vision for the fishery truly changes, rather than as a means to justify a desired short-term outcome.
One of the most critical steps in the harvest strategy development process is choosing the levels of risk that will guide future fishery decisions. Often, these levels are codified in the fishery’s management objectives. Risk is defined in terms of the likelihood of a negative outcome, such as stock collapse or breaching the limit reference point. Conversely, it can establish the probability of success, such as the chance of achieving a target reference point or not breaching the limit reference point. Consistent with the precautionary approach, managers should set low levels of risk tolerance in cases of greater uncertainty. Risk-averse management is preferable because it helps ensure a high probability of achieving the status and safety objectives for a fishery. Alternatively, establishing over-conservative risk levels can result in forgone yield, and so a balance must be struck to ensure suitably precautionary risk tolerances without unnecessary sacrifices in catch.
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Guidelines for Risk
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Great news! This decision from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission will help ensure a sustainable future for one of the world’s most valuable fish. https://twitter.com/Hrvststrategies/status/1527703367560179721
BREAKING NEWS: IOTC has officially adopted a management procedure for bigeye tuna, marking the first full MP for any tropical tuna species at a tRFMO. Congratulations IOTC for championing the harvest strategy approach!
https://tinyurl.com/2s35r8u9
La CTOI a officiellement adopté une procédure de gestion pour le thon obèse, adoptant ainsi la première procédure de gestion complète pour les thons tropicaux dans une ORGP thonière. Bravo à la CTOI d’avoir soutenu l’approche par stratégie de capture!
https://tinyurl.com/2s35r8u9
BREAKING NEWS: IOTC has officially adopted a management procedure for bigeye tuna, marking the first full MP for any tropical tuna species at a tRFMO. Congratulations IOTC for championing the harvest strategy approach!
https://tinyurl.com/2s35r8u9
May 19, 2022
harveststrategies.org serves as a resource for fisheries scientists, managers, and other stakeholders, compiling information about how harvest strategies work and how implementing this pioneering management approach can lead to sustainable, profitable fisheries and successful recovery programs for many species around the world. The site is managed by The Ocean Foundation’s International Fisheries Conservation Project.