Abstract

A brief review of the concept of Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) used in fisheries management is discussed. The convenience of assessing the exploited stocks with the aid of simulation is advised, because implies the possibility to analyze the age structure of the fishery in more detail, as compared to the traditional methods of fish stock assessment. Emphasis is given to the use of the MSY as limit reference point because as long as the Fishing Mortality or fishing effort required for that point is kept at lower values, the fishery will have a good chance to be sustainable. A mention of the Maximum Economic Yield is made, proposing its use a target for the management, because it is reached in general with lower F values that for the MSY, and this way keeping the fishery in a healthy condition.

Keywords: Fishing mortality; Exploited stocks; Fisheries