Maximum sustainable yields (MSY) should be seen in terms of groups of species fished together rather than single stocks taken in isolation -- a point which is bringing fisheries science and industry closer together.
Scientists at ICES and the Advisory Councils (AC) met recently in Copenhagen. The drive to achieve MSY by 2015 resulted in heavy total allowable catch (TAC) cuts for 2014 and the two groups believe understanding MSY in terms of groups of fish caught together in mixed fisheries will help progress towards a more workable and realistic policy on MSY.
