Reporting on progress of TAC decisions and the state of fish stocks towards MSY – Why reporting is important and how it can be improved

This briefing discusses issues associated with current reporting on progress of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) decisions and the state of fish stocks towards the fundamental Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) objective of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It highlights shortcomings in reports produced by the European Commission and other stakeholders and provides recommendations on how these should be addressed in order to allow for clearer and more reliable monitoring of progress towards MSY.

This briefing is the fourth of a series of four briefings entitled ‘Matching fishing limits with sustainability and the law: difficulties and recommendations’.