Harvest Strategy Assessment – Methodology
It is the position of the NGO Tuna Forum that the development & implementation of comprehensive, precautionary harvest strategies is required across all RFMOs.
Further, these NGOs agree that the following core element(s), when adopted and applied in conjunction, comprise comprehensive precautionary harvest strategies:
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Precautionary Target Reference Points
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Precautionary Limit Reference Points
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Acceptable Levels of Risk
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Management/Operational Objectives
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Management Strategy Evaluation
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Performance Indicators
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Harvest Control Rule/s
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Monitoring Strategies
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Management Tools to Implement Resulting Exploitation Levels
Assessment Criteria
Phase One Assessment:
Adoption of core elements (9)
Test
TARGET REFERENCE POINTS (TRPs)
DEFINITION: The Target Reference Point (TRP) should be at or above BMSY, or at or above the spawning stock level of 40% of the unfished biomass (SSB/SSBo=0,4).
If expressed in terms of fishing mortality (F), the TRP should be the corresponding level.
MET = The RFMO has adopted a TRP set either at or above SSBmsy, or at or above the spawning stock level of 40% of the unfished biomass (SSB/SSBo=0,4), or at the corresponding fishing mortality level.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted a TRP set either at or above SSBmsy or above the spawning stock level of 40% of the unfished biomass (SSB/SSBo-0,4), or at the corresponding fishing mortality level.
LIMIT REFERENCE POINTS (LRPs)
DEFINITION: LRP should be set at or above 0.4 BMSY, or at or above the 20% of the unfished biomass (SSB/SSB0=0.2).
MET = The RFMO has adopted a LRP set either at or above 0.4 BMSY, or at or above 20% SSB0 (SSB/SSB0=0.2) by the RFMO.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted a LRP set either at or above 0.4 BSMY or 20% SSB0 (SSB/SSB0=0.2) by the RFMO.
ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF RISK
DEFINITION: The acceptable level of risk of breaching the LRP must be less than or equal to 10%. The probability of achieving the TRP must be 50% or greater.
MET = The RFMO has adopted a level of risk of breaching the LRP that is less than or equal to 10% and a probability of achieving the TRP that is 50% or greater.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted both a level of risk of breaching the LRP that is less than or equal to 10% and a probability of achieving the TRP that is 50% or greater.
MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
DEFINITION: Management objectives should be specific and measurable.
MET = The RFMO has adopted operational management objectives that are specific and measurable.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted operational management objectives that are specific and measurable.
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY EVALUATION (MSE)
DEFINITION: A simulation-based, analytical framework used to evaluate the performance of multiple candidate harvest strategies relative to the pre-specified management objectives.
MET = The RFMO has mandated the use of an MSE.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT mandated the use of an MSE.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (PIs)
DEFINITION: A Performance Indicator translates a management objective into a quantitative indicator within the simulation model of the fishery.
There should be at least one quantitative performance indicator for each management objective.
MET = The RFMO has adopted at least one quantitative Performance Indicator for each management objective.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted at least one quantitative Performance Indicator for each management objective.
HARVEST CONTROL RULE (HCR)
DEFINITION: An HCR is a set of well-defined, pre-agreed management actions that describe how the harvest is to be managed based on the state of a specified performance indicator(s) of stock status, to maintain the stock around the TRP and above the LRP.
MET = The RFMO has adopted a Harvest Control Rule that triggers management actions that are designed to maintain the stock around the TRP.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted a Harvest Control Rule that triggers management actions that are designed to maintain the stock around the TRP.
MONITORING STRATEGIES
DEFINITION: Monitoring programs and tools that provide the data necessary to evaluate the performance of the HCR in achieving the management objectives.
*Not assessed until HCRs are adopted
MET = The RFMO has adopted monitoring programs and tools that are designed to provide the data necessary to evaluate the performance of the HCR in achieving the management objectives.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted monitoring programs and tools that are designed to provide the data necessary to evaluate the performance of the HCR in achieving the management objectives.
MANAGEMENT TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT RESULTING EXPLOITATION LEVELS
DEFINITION: A combination of adopted management actions and measures that are designed to effectively implement the HCR-determined quota or fishing effort levels as needed.
*Not assessed until HCRs are adopted
MET = The RFMO has adopted a combination of management actions and measures designed to effectively implement the HCR-determined quota or fishing effort levels.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT adopted a combination of management actions and measures designed to effectively implement the HCR-determined quota or fishing effort levels.
Phase Two Assessment:
Implementation of key elements (4)
Test
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY EVALUATION (MSE)
DEFINITION: A simulation-based, analytical framework used to evaluate the performance of multiple candidate harvest strategies relative to the pre-specified management objectives.
MET = A MSE was developed and utilized to recommend a harvest strategy.
NOT MET = MSE was either NOT developed, and/or NOT utilized to recommend a harvest strategy.
HARVEST CONTROL RULE (HCR)
DEFINITION: An HCR is a set of well-defined, pre-agreed management actions that describe how the harvest is to be managed based on the state of a specified performance indicator(s) of stock status, to maintain the stock around the TRP and above the LRP.
MET = The RFMO has implemented required management actions as (required by stock health conditions) and/or triggered by the adopted HCR.
NOT MET = The RFMO has NOT carried out required management actions as mandated by the adopted HCR.
MONITORING STRATEGIES
DEFINITION: Monitoring programs and tools that provide the data necessary to evaluate the performance of the HCR in achieving the management objectives.
*Not assessed until HCRs are adopted
MET = The RFMO is collecting the data necessary to evaluate the performance of the HCR in meeting the management objectives.
NOT MET = The RFMO is NOT collecting data necessary to evaluate the performance of the HCR in meeting the management objectives.
MANAGEMENT TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT RESULTING EXPLOITATION LEVELS
DEFINITION: A combination of adopted management actions and measures that are designed to effectively implement the HCR-determined quota or fishing effort levels as needed.
*Not assessed until HCRs are adopted
MET = The RFMO is implementing the adopted management actions and measures, and the HCR-determined fishing mortality levels are being met.
NOT MET = The RFMO is NOT 1.) implementing the adopted management actions and measures, and/or 2.) the HCR-determined fishing mortality levels are NOT being met.