Scientific Considerations Informing Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorization

Abstract

The Act has promoted the application of an open and transparent process for developing scientific advice, regional flexibility in policy processes, and more accountable management. Together, foundational requirements of the fishery management process established by the Act have led to decreases in the levels of exploitation (proportion of the biomass harvested) and increases in biomass of fished stocks so that targeted species are overall in a healthier and more sustainable state than they were 40 years ago when the Act first passed (Figure. 1). The 1996 reauthorization of the Act formally defined and prohibited overfishing, and the 2006 reauthorization established annual catch limits as an additional tool