When evaluating a fishery, the status of the fish stocks landed by a fishery is judged against a five point scale:

1. 1. Worst practice … fishing on a stock that is at increasing risk of collapse; where there is no management plan or targets; or where the information is inaccessible.
   

2. 2. Poor … fishing a depleted stock, although not one believed to be in danger of collapse, where no positive targets have been set;
   

3. 3. Transitional … the stock is depleted, but positive targets for the stock have been set, including its wider impact, and there is a credible plan for how to get there, although at an early stage of implementation;
   

4. 4. Good … where the stocks are growing, positive targets have been set  as part of a  credible management plan;
   

5. 5. Best practice, the goal … big stocks, large catches and plenty left for the needs of other species.