Factors affecting management uncertainty in U.S. fisheries and methodological solutions

► We evaluated 17 U.S. fisheries to describe the impacts of management uncertainty. ► The magnitude of management uncertainty differed among management regimes. ► Much of the variance observed was explained by the reporting frequencies of catch. ► The annual degree of change in targeted catch also contributed to the variance. ► If unaccounted for, management uncertainty can lead to overexploitation.