Biological Reference Point (BRP)

A biological reference point is a quantitative benchmark of stock status or fishing pressure used to judge whether a fishery is sustainable. They split into target and limit points: target reference points such as F_MSY and B_MSY define the desired state, while limit reference points such as B_lim mark the threshold below which recruitment is impaired and must be avoided. ICES sets B_pa and F_pa as precautionary buffers above the limits to account for assessment uncertainty. Managers compare the assessed F and biomass against these points each year, and harvest control rules translate the comparison into a catch advice.