Application of MSE to Gulf Menhaden to Address Issues related to MSC Certification of Ecosystem-related Reference Points

Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) is used to test a Harvest Control Rule (HCR, alternatively Management Procedure, MP or Management Rule) for use in setting catch limits for Gulf menhaden (when necessary) which ensures that Ecosystem requirements (for natural predators on menhaden) are respected. Broadly speaking, this require keeping spawning biomass above a relatively high proportion of dynamic SSB0 – closer to, say, 0.75*SSB0 than a conventional single species target of, say, 0.4*SSB0.

The Management rule is based on a single composite index of menhaden abundance. If the index is above a threshold value, no restrictions are placed on catches.