OFL

OFL, or Optimum Fleet Level, is a planning concept used in fisheries management to determine the ideal amount of fish that can be sustainably caught from a specific area or stock. It balances the need to harvest enough fish for economic and community benefits while ensuring the fish population remains healthy over time. By calculating the OFL, managers set a limit on catch levels to avoid overfishing, helping to promote the long-term sustainability of the fishery and ecosystem.