2023/03/29 by J F Walter, J F Walter III, Cassidy D. Peterson +15 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Marine and fisheries research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsad031
openalex publication_date 2023/03/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Abstract The basis of natural resource management is decision making under uncertainty while balancing competing objectives. Within fisheries management, a process described as management strategy evaluation (MSE) is becoming increasingly requested globally to develop and test management procedures. In a fisheries or other natural resource context, a management procedure is a rule that predetermines the management response given feedback from the resource and is simulation tested to be robust to multiple uncertainties. MSEs are distinguished from other risk or simulation analyses by the explicit testing of the feedback mechanism that applies decision rule-based management advice back to the simulated population or ecosystem. Stakeholder input is frequently cited as a best practice in the MSE process, since it fosters communication and facilitates buy-in to the process. Nevertheless, due to the substantial additional cost, time requirement, and necessary scientific personnel, full stakeholder MSEs remain relatively uncommon. With this communication, we provide guidance on what constitutes an MSE, when MSEs should be undertaken or where simpler approaches may suffice, and how to prioritize the degree of stakeholder participation.