Management strategy evaluation (MSE) is essential for evaluating management plans against management objectives, including whether such plans are consistent with ICES precautionary approach and take appropriate account of uncertainty.
This course aims to provide a general introduction to MSE by covering a range of topics with associated case studies and practical sessions. Participants will acquire the knowledge, skills, and quantitative tools to undertake MSE on their own fisheries resources.
Our instructors will pair theoretical lectures with case studies from around the world (including several European examples) to illustrate or highlight concepts introduced during the lecture sessions.
Topics covered include
- a general introduction,
- operating models (conditioning, construction, and weighting alternative hypotheses),
- management strategies (different types used, including model-based and model-free),
- uncertainty (the different kinds and where they fit into the MSE process),
- risk (various definitions and management), and
- communication of results (linking performance statistics to objectives, considering different stakeholders).
The operating models are not limited to single species as the course will include examples of technical interactions (anchovy-sardine mixed-fishery in South Africa) and using an environmental index in a Harvest Control Rule (Pacific sardine).
Small group discussions help solidify concepts learnt each day and worked examples (HCRs in Excel and a full MSE in FLR using an ICES example) are used to turn these concepts into practice. The course ends with a summary and Best Practice guidelines.
Level
The level is introductory but experience with stock assessment models used to provide management advice and Excel and R would be helpful. A brief introduction to FLR as an MSE tool will be provided during the course.
Registration deadline
10 January 2025
Find out more about this opportunity here.