MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield)

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) refers to the largest amount of a resource, like fish from a population, that can be harvested annually without causing the resource to decline over time. It represents a balance point where extraction is maximized while ensuring the resource remains capable of replenishing itself through natural reproduction. MSY is used in resource management to help set limits that prevent overfishing or overuse, supporting long-term sustainability of the resource and the industries that depend on it. Properly applying MSY involves understanding the population dynamics and monitoring to avoid depletion.