An Evaluation of Implementing Long-Term MSY in Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

MSY has long been considered as a cornerstone in fisheries management, but the utility is increasingly challenged as a result of lacking explicit ecological considerations. This study evaluates sustainable yields for ecosystem-based fisheries management by integrating trophic interaction, bycatch and uncertainty. A multispecies size-spectrum model was used for simulating various fisheries scenarios including single-species fishery, multispecies stow-net fishery and trawl fishery. The dynamics of fish community were monitored using ecological indicators to link community characteristics to management strategies. Single-species fishery imposed large stress on target species but had limited influences on the characteristics of fish community. The stow-net and trawl fisheries with more balanced catchability led to “predation release” and promoted the resistance of target species to fishing. The uncertainty arising from carrying capacity of background resources largely reduced the predictability of yield, biomass and most ecological indicators. The complicated response of ecological indicators to fishing pressure might degrade their effectiveness for guiding management decision. We conclude on the necessity of the combined ecological considerations for implementing long-term MSY, and highlight the adaptive perception of MSY in ecological context. This study improves the understanding of sustainability and contributes to the development of operational fisheries management strategies in the EBFM framework.