Multi-model assessment and management of data-limited fish stocks in the Bohai Sea, China

Similar to small-scale fisheries elsewhere in the world, the Bohai Sea fishery in China operates under data-limited conditions. This study employed five length-based data-limited assessment methods to evaluate the sustainability of 19 important exploited fish stocks, which are core components supporting the provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services of the Bohai Sea ecosystem. Results indicate that 26% of the assessed species are in a sustainable state with no risk; 37% are in an acceptable condition but require targeted management measures; and the remaining 37% necessitate comprehensive enhanced management (16% are overfished, while 21% face high risks). The findings provide management recommendations tailored to each species’ status: (1) regulate fishing effort and catch quotas; (2) increase minimum landing sizes; and (3) enlarge minimum mesh sizes. Global experience demonstrates that scientifically assessed and managed fish stocks are showing biomass recovery. Therefore, adopting these management recommendations is crucial for securing sustainable food production and maintaining the integrity of ecosystem services from the Bohai Sea fishery ecosystem.