The ingredients of successful fisheries management have been known for many years. Well-defined access and use rights, a sound scientific basis for decisions of catch and effort levels, effective enforcement, and stakeholder involvement in decision-making form the core attributes of effective fisheries management regimes. While much has been done to improve fisheries management performance across OECD countries, the scope, depth and timing of reform towards profitable and sustainable fisheries has varied considerably. There is broad consensus that further reform in the fishing sector is necessary to respond to the ongoing problems of over-fishing, overcapacity and poor economic performance that persist in many parts of the sector and in many OECD countries. However, there is less analysis and guidance on the process by which reforms can be undertaken and sustained.