# Maximizing Limited Data to Improve Fishery Management *Published:* 2013-10-30 *Author:* Ashley Apel [![](https://blogs.edf.org/edfish/wp-content/blogs.dir/18/files/2013/10/Data-Limited-Photo-289x300.jpg)](http://catchshares.edf.org/resources/manuals-and-guides) By [Ashley Apel](http://catchshares.edf.org/about-us/ashley-apel) According to a [recent study](http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338/6106/517.abstract) published in *Science*, nearly 80% of the world’s catch comes from “data-limited” fisheries. Not surprisingly, research shows that many of these fisheries are facing collapse, jeopardizing the food security of hundreds of millions of people in developing countries who depend on seafood for a majority of their dietary protein. Historically, fisheries with little data had few science-based management options. But new methods are being continuously developed and used in the field that deliver science-based results, even in the absence of long-term, historical catch data. Since fishery stock assessments can be extremely complex, EDF recently developed a user-friendly, six-step framework as part of an overall guide to Science-Based Management of Data-Limited Fisheries. The framework outlines a systematic approach that fishery managers can use to conduct quick and relatively inexpensive assessments. The methods allow stakeholders in data-limited fisheries to estimate risks to marine ecosystems, determine vulnerability of a stock to fishing pressure, calculate the level of overfishing, assess the sustainability of the fishery, and establish sustainable fishing targets and other management reference points. Download the [guide](http://catchshares.edf.org/sites/catchshares.edf.org/files/CSDM_Sup_Data_Limited_Fisheries.pdf) on Science-Based Management of Data-Limited Fisheries or download the entire [toolkit](http://catchshares.edf.org/resources/toolkit) for fisheries. Feel free to send questions or comments to .