Harvest strategies and allocation – A chicken and egg scenario?

International fisheries organisations are moving away from reactionary management to proactive harvest strategies management. However, unresolved discussions on allocation complicate the transition away from the status quo, with member states unable to assess just how big their slice of the pie will be. The question is therefore posed: Can harvest strategies (or management procedures) be adopted without first agreeing on an allocation process? This paper investigates this question and presents an argument that even without an agreed allocation process, there are significant benefits to be gained in the adoption of a harvest strategy for stock management, including by facilitating allocation discussions since future total catches will be more predictable.