scholarly journals Partial fishing mortality per fishing trip: a useful indicator of effective fishing effort in mixed demersal fisheries

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriaan D. Rijnsdorp ◽  
Niels Daan ◽  
Willem Dekker

Abstract Effort management has been proposed as an alternative for quota management in mixed demersal fisheries. It requires a metric to estimate the fishing mortality imposed by a given quantity of nominal fishing effort. Here, we estimate the partial fishing mortality rate imposed by one unit of fishing effort (Fpue) during individual fishing trips and explore the usefulness of this indicator for managing North Sea beam trawlers >300 hp targeting sole (Solea solea) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). Fpue is positively related to vessel engine power, and increased annually by 2.8% (sole) and 1.6% (plaice). The positive trend was due to an increase in skipper skills and investment in auxiliary equipment, the replacement of old vessels by new ones and, to a lesser extent, to upgrade engines. The average Fpue imposed per day at sea by a 2000 hp beam trawler was estimated to be 1.0 × 10−5 (sole) and 0.6 × 10−5 (plaice), and it showed substantial seasonal and spatial variations. The Fpue of sole and plaice were negatively related in summer and showed no relationship in winter. The existence of predictive seasonal and spatial patterns in Fpue opens up the possibility of fine-tuning management by directed effort restrictions and uncoupling management of plaice and sole.

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1663-1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Bellanger ◽  
Claire Macher ◽  
Mathieu Merzéréaud ◽  
Olivier Guyader ◽  
Christelle Le Grand

An individual-based bio-economic model is presented and applied to the Bay of Biscay sole (Solea solea) fishery to investigate alternative quota management systems from a multicriteria perspective. For this study, the model integrates several institutional arrangements related to catch share management. The current French co-management system with nontransferability of quota is compared with an alternative individual transferable quota (ITQ) system in a context of transition to maximum sustainable yield. Trade-offs between ecological and socioeconomic impacts are highlighted and the effectiveness of governance scenarios is discussed in regard to the challenge of capacity adjustment. Results emphasize that the introduction of ITQs is expected to reduce by 40% the number of vessels in the fishery. While effectively mitigating the economic impacts of the transition phase to maximum sustainable yield, ITQs are also expected to increase substantially the fishing effort by trawlers, which may cause ecological concerns. The scenarios tested also include the simulation of a decommissioning scheme where subsequent decommissioned vessels are considerably different from the vessels that would lease out their quotas in an ITQ system, resulting in differentiated ecological and socioeconomic impacts between scenarios.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-625
Author(s):  
Felipe Lopez ◽  
Jorge Jimenez ◽  
Cristian Canales

Since 1979, southern hake (Merluccius australis) has been exploited in Chile from the Bio Bio to the Magallanes regions, between the parallels 41°28.6'S and 57°S. There is evidence of a constant fishing effort and a sustained reduction of the fish population, consistent with a progressive decrease in total annual catches. Management strategies based on the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and quota assignment/ distribution criteria have not been able to sustain acceptable biomass levels. A non-linear optimization model with two objective functions was proposed to determine an optimal total catch quota for more sustainable exploitation of this fishery. The first function maximizes the total catch over time in response to an optimal assignment of fishing mortality rates per fleet; the second function maximizes the total economic benefit associated with the total catch. The dynamics of the fish population were represented with the equations of a predictive age-structured model. Decision variables were fishing mortality rates and annual catch quotas per fleet, subject to constraints that guarantee a minimum level of biomass escape over a long-term period. The input parameters were obtained from the last stock evaluation report carried out by the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP) of Chile. The historical background data of the fishery and the regulatory framework were relevant aspects of the methodology. Five scenarios were evaluated with the two objective functions, including a base scenario, which considered the referential mortality rate as input data as the average mortality rate per fleet from 2007 to 2012. Total economic benefits fluctuate between 102 and USD 442 million for total catches in the range of 108 to 421 thousand tons, which were obtained from maximizing the economic and biological objective functions. Economic benefit/catch ratios were reduced for scenarios with higher constraints on catch limits, and they were more efficient from a biological point of view. Situations with lighter constraints showed in general higher economic benefits and better performance ratios than those with stronger restrictions. The use of optimization models may provide a useful tool to evaluate the effect of regulations for adequate conservation and economical utilization of a limited resource.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Horwood ◽  
Carl O'Brien ◽  
Chris Darby

AbstractRecovery of depleted marine, demersal, commercial fish stocks has proved elusive worldwide. As yet, just a few shared or highly migratory stocks have been restored. Here we review the current status of the depleted North Sea cod (Gadus morhua), the scientific advice to managers, and the recovery measures in place. Monitoring the progress of North Sea cod recovery is now hampered by considerable uncertainties in stock assessments associated with low stock size, variable survey indices, and inaccurate catch data. In addition, questions arise as to whether recovery targets are achievable in a changing natural environment. We show that current targets are achievable with fishing mortality rates that are compatible with international agreements even if recruitment levels remain at the current low levels. Furthermore, recent collations of data on international fishing effort have allowed estimation of the cuts in fishing mortality achieved by restrictions on North Sea effort. By the beginning of 2005, these restrictions are estimated to have reduced fishing mortality rates by about 37%. This is insufficient to ensure recovery of North Sea cod within the next decade.


J ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-132
Author(s):  
Bonifácio Manuessa ◽  
Eurico Morais ◽  
Teresa Cerveira Borges ◽  
Maria Teodósio ◽  
Francisco Leitão

Monthly length-frequency data, from 2009 to 2014, was used to estimate the growth parameters, mortality, and spawning season, and to assess the exploitation status of Thryssa vitrirostris (Engraulidae) fisheries in Pebane. The von Bertalanffy asymptotic length (L∞) and growth rate (K) were 25.1 cm (standard length) and 0.41 per year (standard length), respectively. Two proxy recruitment peaks were found: the first peak of recruitment occurs from April to July, and the second recruitment peak from September to October. The total estimated mortality rates (Z), natural mortality (M), and fishing mortality (F) were Z = 1.31, M = 0.92, and F = 0.39. For the beach seine gear, the size at first catch of T. vitrirostris was Lc25 = 4.43 cm. The 50% retention size of the catch was Lc50 = 5.39 cm. The retention probability analyses revealed a large rate of juvenile fishing mortality (54.2%). The estimated exploitation rate (0.30) was below the maximum exploitation rate (0.48), and above the optimal sustainable exploitation rate (E50 = 0.28), evidencing a sustainable fishery. However, under such an exploitation regime, it is advised that a continuously monitoring-survey of T. vitrirostris is maintained. An increase in migration of fishermen has been recently recorded in Pebane, due to its rich fisheries, which can increase the fishing effort and the risk of overexploitation if management measures (such as mesh size increase) are not taken in advance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaozi Liu ◽  
Mikko Heino

Catch equations relate fisheries catch to initial fish abundance and the applied fishing pressure. The Baranov catch equation, often simply referred to as the catch equation, is the commonest one. However, there are exactly three ways of describing seasonal progression of fishing parsimoniously with a single parameter: assume catch rate, fishing effort, or fishing mortality is constant, the last being the assumption underlying the Baranov catch equation. These assumptions imply different dynamics, and only in special cases two of these assumptions can hold true simultaneously. Whether this happens is dictated by the concentration profile (i.e., the dependence of mean fish density where fishing takes place on total stock abundance). We show that the assumed seasonal progression of fishing and the type of the concentration profile have major implications for fishery dynamics as well as biological and economic consequences of fishing, calling for increased awareness of these overlooked assumptions of fishery dynamics. However, in many cases the Baranov catch equation serves as a good approximation, even when its assumption of constant fishing mortality is violated.


2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wes Ford ◽  
Wes Ford

Individual transferable quotas were successfully introduced into the Tasmanian rock-lobster fishery in 1998. In the two years since, significant industry restructuring has occurred. The move to quota management was intended to meet two key objectives: to reduce the catch to a sustainable level, allowing the stock to rebuild, and to provide a mechanism whereby the industry could achieve economic sustainability. The quota system has achieved early results on both the sustainability and restructuring objectives and is now well accepted and supported by the vast majority of fishers and licence holders. Its effect has been to reduce fishing effort by 29% and number of fishing vessels by 23%, and the reduction in catch has resulted in a 6% increase in the estimated biomass and substantial increases in egg production after one year. Fishers now spend fewer days at sea, and catch rates are improving. These changes are reducing fishing costs, which in time should increase profitability. Social costs of introducing quotas are that fewer fishers are employed on vessels and that fishers now find it harder and more expensive to lease a fishing licence. These costs must be factored into any assessment of the industry.


1962 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syoiti Tanaka

When a fish population has been depleted by heavy exploitation, with the yield from the population maintaining an unfavourable level, it is usual to expect that the situation will be improved by reduction of fishing effort. Following a sudden reduction of fishing mortality, p, from p1 to p2 at time τ = 0, the yield at once decreases and then increases gradually until it reaches another steady level higher than the former level.The present paper deals, using Baranov's model, with the transition stage of the population following a sudden change in p, as well as with the steady state before and after the change. Relations between equilibrium yield and fishing mortality rate (effort-yield curves) are calculated for various values of the parameters, λ0 (= l0/u, where l0 is the length of a recruit and u is the yearly increase in length), q (natural mortality rate), and b (remaining life span of a fish at the time of recruitment) (Fig. 2). It is noteworthy that for species that grow slowly after recruitment, i.e. when λ0 is large, reduction of fishing would have scarcely any effect on the yield (Fig. 4).Yield curves for the period of transition from the present to various lower levels of fishing are calculated for the case in which λ0 = 4, q = 0.15, b = 10 and p1 = 1.35. These represent parameters for the present state of the stock of sohachi flounders Cleisthenes herzensteini (Schmidt), in the southwestern area of the Japan Sea (Fig. 5).Possible density effects on growth rate and natural mortality rate, which are briefly discussed, appear to diminish considerably the effectiveness of any reduction in fishing effort (Fig. 6).


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine G.J Michielsens ◽  
Murdoch K McAllister ◽  
Sakari Kuikka ◽  
Tapani Pakarinen ◽  
Lars Karlsson ◽  
...  

A Bayesian state–space mark–recapture model is developed to estimate the exploitation rates of fish stocks caught in mixed-stock fisheries. Expert knowledge and published results on biological parameters, reporting rates of tags and other key parameters, are incorporated into the mark–recapture analysis through elaborations in model structure and the use of informative prior probability distributions for model parameters. Information on related stocks is incorporated through the use of hierarchical structures and parameters that represent differences between the stock in question and related stocks. Fishing mortality rates are modelled using fishing effort data as covariates. A state–space formulation is adopted to account for uncertainties in system dynamics and the observation process. The methodology is applied to wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stocks from rivers located in the northeastern Baltic Sea that are exploited by a sequence of mixed- and single-stock fisheries. Estimated fishing mortality rates for wild salmon are influenced by prior knowledge about tag reporting rates and salmon biology and, to a limited extent, by prior assumptions about exploitation rates.


1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 1466-1476 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M Hoenig ◽  
Nicholas J Barrowman ◽  
William S Hearn ◽  
Kenneth H Pollock

The Brownie models for multiyear tagging studies can be used to estimate age- and year-specific annual survival rates and tag recovery rates. The latter are composites of the exploitation rates and rates of tag reporting, tag shedding, and tag-induced mortality. It is possible to estimate the exploitation rates if the other components of the tag recovery rates can be quantified. Instantaneous rates of fishing and natural mortality can be estimated if information is available on the seasonal distribution of fishing effort. The estimated rates are only moderately dependent on the timing of the fishing; consequently, the relative effort data can be crude. Information on the timing of the catch over the course of the year can be used as a substitute for the effort data. Fishing mortality can also be assumed to be proportional to fishing effort over years; consequently, if fishing effort is known then the tag reporting rate, natural mortality rate, and a single catchability coefficient can be estimated (instead of natural mortality and a series of fishing mortalities). Although it is possible in theory to estimate both the tag reporting rate and the natural mortality rate with all of these models, in practice it appears necessary to obtain some additional data relating to tag reporting rate to obtain acceptable results. The additional data can come from a variable reward tagging study, a creel or port sampling survey, or from tagged animals that are secretly added to the fishers' catches.


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