A review of the process leading to the establishment of limit and precautionary reference points for the stock of Norwegian spring spawning herring

Abstract

The Coastal State Regional Management Organisation agreed in October 1999 on a on a long time strategy for Norwegian spring spawning herring. Limit and precautionary reference points are fundamental parts of this long time management strategy. The present paper reviews the process leading to the acceptance of the precautionary reference points. Emphasis is put on the interaction between the advice on the management of the stock (including estimated values of the reference points) put forward by ICES, and the response from the management organisation.