Maximum Sustainable Yield

In economics, agriculture, and ecology, the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) typically denotes the maximum amount of a resource that can be used or removed from a system without affecting the system’s ability to maintain itself and replenish or renew the resource at current levels in a sustainable manner. In economics, MSY refers to the theoretical equilibrium yield or the amount that may be harvested at a steady equilibrium state without significantly affecting the reproduction processes.

The MSY is calculated from the growth function of the resource, specifically the changes in growth rates, and the environmental carrying capacity. In reference to fisheries or other aquaculture, MSY is the largest catch, or long-term average yield, of fish or other resource that can be harvested under given ecological conditions ...