Assessing overfishing based on the distance-to-target approach

Abstract Purpose Overfishing has been a global challenge for several decades with severe impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Several approaches assessing overfishing in life cycle impact assessment exist, but do not consider scarcity line current policy science-based targets. Furthermore, comparisons of results other categories, e.g., climate change, are possible existing methods. Therefore, five to assess based the distance-to-target approach introduced. Method Three species-specific (stock sea, target pressure, fish manager) two regional midpoint were developed. For stock weighting factor was derived as relation available biomass considered species at sustainable limits. Within pressure stocks is set maximal pressure. manager, catch maximum yield. The used normalization all three approaches. production consumption fully fished share. indicator serves characterization factor. Normalization occurs characterized catch. Results discussion To demonstrate applicability approaches, three-level case study derived: (i) determining ecofactors ten specific oceans; (ii) deriving ecopoints meal oil Europe; (iii) comparison rapeseed categories overfishing, land use, marine eutrophication. highest by high factors. factors determine result. contribution increases rising amounts. Main challenges data collection interpretation which limit overall applicability. sensitivity analysis shows that vary significantly depending composition meal. Conclusions It shown four able account overfishing. However, only production-based allows therefore most suitable integration into assessment. developed can be more comprehensive environmental different diets well aquaculture feed solutions.