Redefine Sustainable Fisheries Targets Under the Impact of the Southern Yellow Sea Green Tide: Mitigating the Recurring Surge in Natural Mortality

The massive green tide blooms caused by macroalgae Ulva in the Southern Yellow Sea, China, threaten local fish populations. However, tides are not factored into determination of sustainable fisheries targets, which hinders achievement maximum yield (MSY). Using a fishery as case study we highlighted need to redefine MSY-based targets face tides. We modeled natural mortality events and evaluated their effects on with “green-tide-free” fishing intensity F MSY . then recalculated these accounting for surges mortality. found that at least 10% losses biomass catch when unaccounted for. Additionally, must be reduced 4–8% achieve tide, was approximately 20% lower than value, indicating damages could partially mitigated.