Objectives
The “Sustainability Indicators” workpackage will overcome overfishing by identifying, testing and implementing simple indicators for sustainable fisheries management for direct use by fishers, fish traders, consumers, managers, and media.
1. Identify suitable indicators
2. Establish biological parameters needed for indicators for all relevant species
3. With stakeholders and public, test management by indicators
4. Analyze progress and problems

Description of work
There is a need for specific targeted research to identify and operationalize methodologies which rely on low cost observations reflecting resource system features which can be recognised and accepted by all stakeholders. Here we focus on indicators at the species level, such as resilience to exploitation or natural disturbances. We are especially interested in simple indicators that allow participation of all stakeholders including the public in management of stocks. For example, one can imagine a publicly enforced management regime that discourages the capture of juvenile, undersized fish (common cause of recruitment and growth overfishing). Posters showing commercial species at their size of first maturity will enable citizens to make informed decision when buying unprocessed fish. The task of this workpackage thus is to identify, apply, and evaluate the use of indicators that have the potential to end overfishing.

Deliverables

All WP participants will contribute to all deliverables.


Milestones