The National Standards are statutory principles that must be followed in any fishery management plan (FMP).  The guidelines summarize interpretations by the Secretary of Commerce that have been, and will be, applied under these principles.  The guidelines are intended as aids to decisionmaking; FMPs formulated according to the guidelines will have a better chance for expeditious review, approval, and implementation by the Secretary of Commerce.  FMPs that are in substantial compliance with the guidelines, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law must be approved.

National Standard 1 - Optimum Yield

National Standard 2 - Scientific Information

National Standard 3 - Management Units

National Standard 4 - Allocations

National Standard 5 - Efficiency

National Standard 6 - Variations and Contingencies

National Standard 7 - Costs and Benefits

National Standard 8 - Communities

National Standard 9 - Bycatch

National Standard 10 - Safety of Life at Sea