13 March 2024

12 March, Rome-Washington – New information material on management procedures - long-term, pre-agreed and science-based fishery management approaches - is now available on HarvestStrategies.org, an interactive knowledge hub aimed at demonstrating how harvest strategies can lead to more sustainable and profitable fisheries.

The new material includes an animated video that explains how management procedures work in the real world, by walking viewers through their over-time implementation and review cycle.

An infographic explains the puzzle pieces that form the management procedure, including reference points, performance indicators, management strategy evaluation and harvest control rules.

Additionally, the latest edition of a series of quarterly webinars outlines the benefits of fully specified harvest strategies or management procedures.

All the material has been produced by The Ocean Foundation and made available on HarvestStrategies.org, a knowledge hub dedicated to promoting management procedures, also known as harvest strategies, and to demonstrating how their implementation leads to sustainable use of tuna stocks in line and contributing to profitable fisheries and successful management worldwide.

Management procedures ensure that fisheries stocks are sustainably managed according to the precautionary approach. Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are increasingly adopting these strategies globally, but their timely development and practical implementation remains a challenge. To facilitate the transition to harvest strategy-based management, a solid understanding of what they are and how to implement them is needed among all involved, including managers, fisheries scientists, and stakeholders.

Developed and operated by The Ocean Foundation with support from the Common Oceans Tuna project and The Pew Charitable Trusts, HarvestStrategies.org aims to facilitate the adaption of harvest strategy-based management with a particular focus on tuna RFMOs, by ensuring that managers, fisheries scientists, and stakeholders understand what harvest strategies are and how they can be implemented.

The Common Oceans Tuna project brings together a global partnership dedicated to sustainable tuna fisheries aiming to advance responsible tuna fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it works in collaboration with five regional tuna fisheries management organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society.

The Ocean Foundation is the only community foundation for the ocean. Its International Fisheries Conservation project seeks to catalyze the development and adoption of harvest strategies and other innovative tools for the long-term sustainable management of a diverse array of international fisheries, from giant tunas to the forage fish upon which they depend.