Dj. Die et Jf. Caddy, SUSTAINABLE-YIELD INDICATORS FROM BIOMASS - ARE THERE APPROPRIATE REFERENCE POINTS FOR USE IN TROPICAL FISHERIES, Fisheries research, 32(1), 1997, pp. 69-79
Various methods have been proposed to calculate maximum sustainable yi
eld, MSY, from biomass estimates, but the classical approach of Gullan
d, MSY = 0.5 M B-0 is still widely used, despite overwhelming theoreti
cal and practical evidence pointing to its limited value, probably due
to confusion as to the alternative methods available. A review of alt
ernative methods is presented and their applicability to species with
high values of M discussed. An extreme-value strategy is proposed for
introducing considerations of risk and precaution into a management sy
stem based on precautionary reference points. We also focus on problem
s of estimating MSY and other reference points, review alternative est
imators and discuss some of the ecological and life history criteria t
hat affect how these estimators should be used: as targets or limits f
or exploitation, as indicators of conformity under sustainable harvest
ing conditions, or even for ecocertification of responsible or sustain
able fisheries. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.