In addition to adopted thresholds, the fisheries management agencies should adopt a target of F20 percent. Achieving this target should double the blue crab's spawning potential from recent levels of approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of an unfished stock.
Harvests can therefore rise and fall depending on stock size and still meet the target.
If necessary, the jurisdictions should further design management measures by the end of 2002 to bring effort within range of the fishing mortality target. Verification of progress in meeting the target should begin in 2003. In doing so, the jurisdictions should include consideration of various management options. Further, all jurisdictions should coordinate actions according to a shared timeframe. The jurisdictions should implement management measures fairly across all segments of the fishery by including equitable reductions in all components of the recreational and commercial sectors.