Policy makers should be prepared to act in anticipation of unusual conditions or conditions that are “normal” but require decisionmaking to avoid harm. Finally, even best plans and implementation efforts are beneficial but cannot be expected to prove infallible or necessarily successful. The fishery management system in the Northeast Pacific is recognized as meeting most of the “best management practices” and promoting an ecosystem-based approach to management (Witherell, 1999 and Witherell et al.,