The Marine Conservation Alliance works to ensure that there is seafood to feed the world. And that means, sometimes, we must err on the side of caution.
The Precautionary Principle is an approach to fisheries management that essentially says: let’s leave more fish in the ocean than maybe we could. Sometimes science suggests that fishery quotas could be increased, but managers use precaution and keep them lower than they could be to ensure long-term sustainability.
Wise use of the Precautionary Principle is a big part of why the North Pacific fisheries are among the most successful on Earth. The MCA supports this approach when utilized through rational and risk-based decision-making tools. Good management means examining potential consequences, calculating probability, and avoiding fishery closures whenever possible.
CLICK HERE to view a PowerPoint presentation that was delivered by MCA on the topic of Risk and Uncertainty in Fisheries Management.