Is a management framework based on spawning-stock biomass indicators sustainable ? A viability approach

Type Article
Date 2007-05
Language English
Author(s) de Lara Michel2, Doyen Luc3, Guilbaud Therese1, Rochet Marie-Joelle1
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, Dept EMH, F-44311 Nantes 03, France.
2 : Paris Tech, Ecole Ponts, CERMICS, F-77455 Champs Sur Marne, Marne La Vallee, France.
3 : Museum Natl Hist Nat, CNRS, CEREPS, F-75005 Paris, France.
Source ICES Journal of Marine Science (1054-3139) (Oxford university press), 2007-05 , Vol. 64 , N. 4 , P. 761-767
DOI 10.1093/icesjms/fsm024
WOS© Times Cited 33
Keyword(s) Viability, Sustainable management, Indicators, ICES precautionary approach
Abstract Fisheries management agencies have to drive resources on sustainable paths, i.e. within defined boundaries for an indefinite time. The viable-control approach is proposed as a relevant method to deal with sustainability. We analyse the ICES precautionary approach (PA) by means of the notion of viability domain, and provide a mathematical test for sustainability. It is found that the PA based on spawning-stock biomass (SSB) and fishing mortality (F) indicators is sustainable only when recruits make a significant contribution to SSB. In this case, advice based upon SSB, with an appropriate reference point, is sufficient to ensure sustainability. In all other cases, SSB is not a sufficient metric of stock productivity and must be complemented with other management indicators to ensure sustainability. The approach is illustrated with numerical applications to the northern hake and Bay of Biscay anchovy.
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