The parameter corresponds to the variable studied, which is generally a measurement (length, weight, etc.). The support is the entity on which the observation is made (individual, gear, fishing operation, etc.), the fraction is a part of this entity (otolith, surface, etc.). A measurement method allows to describe how the observation was made. If it is described in scientific reports or publications, the reference is given as a base. The unit makes it possible to specify the scale of the measurement (m, cm, mm, etc.). Some parameters are qualitative and therefore have associated qualitative values: these are lists of possible values for a parameter (e.g. the stages of development of a maturity scale).

When talking about MFSP, all elements of the quintuplet must be filled in, although some values allow for flexibility (e.g. total fraction, unknown method, unit none...).

MFSPs are updated and administered according to the requests and needs of SIH users. These requests are validated by a thematic referent and then integrated (or not) by the repository manager. These variables are currently difficult to interoperate with other information systems, but they facilitate the adaptation of the Allegro, Allegro-Obsdeb and Allegro-Campagnes data entry tools.