British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) definition

Definition: The maximum sustainable yield ensures that fishing boats do not take more than a certain number of fish each time. This ensures that there is enough fish to feed the population but at the same time, enough fish is left to grow and breed so that the fish population is sustainable and stable. The fishers wait until the fish are ready to be harvested at the right time and that there is enough to feed people, rather than overfishing which is not sustainable for fish stocks. The MSY ensures that this happens properly.

It is not only fishing that has a MSY but other things as well, like forestry. Forests must be managed sustainably, so trees are cut down according to the MSY and no more. This makes sure that enough are left behind to grow and reseed, so more trees can keep the woodlands replenished. They are cut down sustainably at the right time to meet demand. If they weren't, and all the trees were cut down at once, how could the forest continue to live? There needs to be some left to ensure continuation of the woodlands. So, the MSY makes sure enough is cut down for timber, but also ensuring enough is also left behind, as well.