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Fisheries and Oceans Canada is adopting an Objective-Based
Fisheries Management (OBFM) approach for harp seals. OBFM uses
control rules and reference points to establish management
measures for a fishery. Where there is an abundant resource, OBFM
will facilitate a market-driven harvest that will enable sealers
to maximize their benefits without compromising conservation.
Reference points, are pre-established population levels
that trigger specific management actions when they are reached.
Control rules are specific, pre-established actions that are
triggered at certain reference points. Control rules include
measures such as a lower Total Allowable Catch (TAC), changes to
season length and area closures. Reference points have been set at
70%, 50% and 30%, based on the maximum observed size of the herd
at 5.5 million. If the full TAC was taken for the
three-year plan, it is estimated the population would decline to
about 4.7 million by 2006 – well above the 70% threshold. The
department is committed to maintaining the population above the
70% reference point.
The harp seal population has nearly tripled in size – less than
two million in the 1970’s to more than five million today. Some
reduction in the population is possible at this time while
maintaining the principle of sustainable use of this natural
resource.
OBFM – Conservation Reference
Points
(click on the image to enlarge)
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