I appreciate it may appear mythical to do our best to establish a reliable system of stock assessment, but in the absence of some approach we run incredible risks for over-harvest which is in nobody's interest. We also should be taking careful stock to define what the prey requirements of species reliant on herring to be, quantify that, then add those considerations to the management model. In the end, regardless of what we do or how we establish a management strategy aimed at achieving sustainable harvest, there will always be an "art" to blending science with on the water experience. Bottom line for me personally is; 1) establish the stock status - which changes dynamically over time; 2) account for prey requirements of other species reliant upon herring; 3) deduct those prey requirements; 4) arrive at a harvestable surplus and allow fisheries based on those. Easier said than done however.