Development of the basis and form of ICES Fisheries Management Advice: Historical background (1976-1990) and the new form of ACFM Advice (1991-?)

An historical review of the development of the basis and form of ICES fisheries management advice is provided. The principles and objectives used by the ICES Liaison Committee in providing scientific advice on fisheries are described, as are those developed during 1978-1990 by the ICES Advisory Committee on Fishery Management (ACFM). In 1991, ACFM adopted a new approach to formulating ICES scientific advice on fisheries. ACFM believes that this new form of advice is a significant improvement over its previous approach and will result in more objective, consistent, and credible management advice. The new ACFM protocol is described and presented to the ICES scientific community for review and comment.