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Concepts & Definitions In the context of this document it is necessary to clearly state the meaning of sustainable operations and sustainability at the outset. The definition in the world wide exploitation of fisheries and complex fishing operations can often have a varied and broad meaning; conversely it can refer to a very specific aspect or topic within a larger socio economic or ecological framework. In its simplest or truest form sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and this will the guiding principle of this policy. In the context of marine ecosystems sustainability is the characteristic of resources that are managed so that the natural capital stock is non-declining through time, while production opportunities are maintained for the future.1 However, the use of sustainability is often used in fisheries management as a shortened term for sustainable development. Sustainable development can be defined as the management and conservation of the natural resource base, and the orientation of technological and institutional change in such a manner as to ensure the attainment of continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations. Such sustainable development conserves (land) water, plants and (animal) genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technologically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable.2 The true assessment of such a management and conservation system can be evaluated by numerous sustainability indicators. Indicators are variables, pointers, or an index of a complex phenomenon. Its fluctuations reveal the variations in components of the ecosystem, the resource or the sector. The position and trend of the indicator in relation to the criteria indicate the present state and dynamics of the system. Ideally, composite indicators are needed, the position and trajectory of which, within a system of reference of related criteria, would allow simple holistic assessment of sustainability. One can distinguish indicators of state of the system, pressure (or stress, driving forces) on the system, and response (reflecting action taken to mitigate, reduce, eliminate or compensate for the stress).3 When describing specifically sustainable fishing activities, those are which do not cause or lead to undesirable changes in the biological and economic productivity, biological diversity, or ecosystem structure and functioning from one human generation to the next.4 In terms of the catch or yield from a defined stock, the sustainable yield is the amount of biomass or the number of units that can be harvested currently in a fishery without compromising the ability of the population/ecosystem to regenerate itself.5 1. Sutinen, J.G., ed. 2000. A framework for monitoring and assessing socioeconomics and governance of large marine ecosystems. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-158, 32 pp 2. FAO (1989): Sustainable development and natural resources management. Conference. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. C 89/2 - Sup. 2. August 1989: 54 pages 3. Garcia S.M. (1997) Indicators for sustainable development in fisheries. In: FAO (1997). Land Quality indicators and their use in sustainable agriculture and rural development: 131-162. 4. Anonymous (1998): Sustaining Marine Fisheries. A report of the Committee on Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Fisheries; Ocean Studies Board; Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources; National Research Council. National Academy press. 5. FAO (1997): Fisheries management. FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries, 4: 82 p |