Standardization of bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, catch per unit effort in the baitboat fishery of the Bay of Biscay (Eastern Atlantic)

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1216-1231 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Rodríguez-Marín ◽  
H. Arrizabalaga ◽  
M. Ortiz ◽  
C. Rodríguez-Cabello ◽  
G. Moreno ◽  
...  

Abstract Relative indices of abundance by age class for bluefin tuna from 1975 to 2000 were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. Age class was included as a fixed factor within the model specifications, with the Year×Age interaction as a fixed factor component in order to obtain annual indices by age. Catch and effort data on bluefin tuna were available from two sources, catches by trip, and daily catches from logbooks. Catches were modelled using the delta-lognormal model. The model finally selected included the following explanatory factors: Year, Age, Year×Age, Month, number of Crew, number of Bait Tanks, and with the Year×Month interaction as a random component. Overall, year trends and coefficients of variation were similar from both datasets by age class. In general, the standardization procedure showed that vessel characteristics and technological advances related to fishing have a relatively minor explanatory effect on the observed catch rates of bluefin tuna in the fishery. Neither geographical distribution nor type of bait had an explanatory effect on the observed catch rates. The 1994 cohort stands out as an exceptionally large year class; it can be followed through the standardized series. This standardized catch rate index at age of bluefin tuna is the most complete yet available and is the only one currently used for juvenile fish in calibrating population models to evaluate the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock. It is particularly valuable because, apart from improvements in electronic technology, there are no changes in the method of exploitation during the entire series.

<em>Abstract</em>.—Reports of testicular oocytes (intersex) in fish are increasing worldwide. Intersex is often associated with estrogens in treated wastewater effluents, but few studies have explored other potentially explanatory factors. Our recent survey of intersex Largemouth Bass <em>Micropterus salmoides</em> in 11 impoundments across Georgia, USA found high incidence (>80%) of intersex fish in some impoundments but none in others. To explore factors associated with intersex in the impoundments, which did not receive wastewater, we examined potential predictor variables that varied among the levels of individual fish, impoundment, or landscape in a binomial mixed-model regression approach. Our model indicated effects of fish length, catch per unit effort (an index of fish density), and impoundment, which was the strongest effect. The probability of intersex was highest in smaller fish from impoundments with the highest catch rates. The underlying mechanism(s) for the impoundment effect remain unclear, but we hypothesize that estrogens excreted by high densities of fish and cyanobacteria may influence intersex. Additional studies are needed to understand the long-term population implications of intersex and the role of other biological and environmental factors, particularly at the impoundment level, in development of the intersex condition.


2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 2099-2111
Author(s):  
Fikret Öndes ◽  
Michel J. Kaiser ◽  
Lee G. Murray

Baited trap or pot fisheries are considered to have relatively few wider ecosystem effects on the marine environment, particularly when compared with towed mobile fishing gear. However, this assumption is rarely tested in the field. This study aimed to determine the composition of non-target species that occur in crustacean pots and to assess spatial and temporal differences in catches in the waters around the Isle of Man, Irish Sea. The data were collected using fishery independent surveys and a questionnaire study. Based on fishery independent surveys, a total of five taxonomic groups and 43 species occurred as by-catch. The dominant by-catch species was velvet crab Necora puber. The by-catch per unit effort (BPUE) for all of the non-target species was low particularly in comparison to towed bottom gear fisheries around the Isle of Man. BPUE of species composition varied considerably between different locations around the Isle of Man. The results of both the fishery independent and questionnaire data suggested that the by-catch rates varied with season with peak BPUE occurring in spring which then declined into autumn and winter. By-catch composition did not decrease significantly with an increasing target species catch. Overall, by-catch was low relative to target species catch which may be partially attributable to the use of escape panels in pot fisheries in the Isle of Man.


2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 1465-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Neves Santos ◽  
Pedro Gil Lino

The wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata, Moreau 1881) is a commercially important species for the artisanal fleet operating off the south-western Iberian Peninsula. During 2004 and 2005 a study was undertaken aiming to provide a scientific basis for management. Data collection included information on aspects of the fishery, spawning season, size at first maturity, tangle and gill-net selectivity. Seven nominal mesh sizes were used (40, 45 and 50 mm tangle nets and 40, 50, 60 and 70 mm gill-nets). Spawning lasts from December to June, with peaks in March and May. Length at first maturity for females was estimated at 18.5 cm. Catch rates decreased sharply with increasing mesh size, with tangle nets providing the highest yields. The log-normal selectivity model provided the best fit for specimens that were wedged. The higher catch-per-unit-effort of the smaller mesh sizes and the modal length of the fitted selectivity curve being below the size-at-maturity for wedge sole, suggests that the 50 mm nominal mesh size tangle net is the most appropriate for ensuring the fishery sustainability. Nevertheless, the minimum legal size should increase to at least 18 cm and a time–area closure should be implemented off the Guadiana River mouth.


2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bishop ◽  
W. N. Venables ◽  
C. M. Dichmont ◽  
D. J. Sterling

Abstract Bishop, J., Venables, W. N., Dichmont, C. M., and Sterling, D. J. 2008. Standardizing catch rates: is logbook information by itself enough? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 255–266. The goal of the work was to maximize the accuracy of standardized catch per unit effort as an index of relative abundance. Linear regression models were fitted to daily logbook data from a multispecies penaeid trawl fishery in which within-vessel changes in efficiency are common. Two model-fitting strategies were compared. The predictive strategy focused on maximizing the explained variance, and the estimation strategy on finding realistic coefficients for important components of changing catchability. Realistic values could not always be obtained, because the regression factors were not orthogonal, and data on the presence of technology were sometimes unreliable or systematically incomplete. It was not possible to separate fishing power from abundance by analysing logbook data alone; it was necessary to incorporate external information within the standardization model. Therefore, the resultant estimation models incorporated external information and expert knowledge by offsets. There was no single best estimation model. Instead, a series of models provided an envelope of possible changes in relative fishing power and prawn abundance since 1970. Compared with the prediction models, the estimation models revealed different trends in relative fishing power and relative abundance.


Abstract.—Spiny dogfish <em>Squalus acanthias </em>have been an important component of the Strait of Georgia fisheries from the late 1800s to the late 1940s, when the fishery collapsed owing to overfishing and changes in market demand. The stock population levels have sustained a commercial fishery of approximately 2,000 metric tons since 1978. Recent concerns regarding the status of dogfish stocks worldwide have reprioritized the status assessment of dogfish in British Columbia. Longline research surveys were conducted for dogfish in the Strait of Georgia in 1986, 1989, and 2005. Additional sources of information are catch and effort data collected through logbook records from the commercial longline fishery. Recent improvements in gear configuration resulted in a switch in the mid-1990s from traditional J hooks to circle hooks, which makes direct comparison of catch rates difficult. In November 2004 a calibration experiment using J hooks and circle hooks demonstrated that, overall, spiny dogfish catch per unit effort (CPUE) for circle-hook gear was 1.6–1.7 times higher than that for J-hook gear. After applying this conversion to the commercial longline CPUE data available for 1980–1984 and 2000–2004, no significant trend in catch rate over time was detected. The catch rate observed in the longline research survey actually increased in 2005 compared to 1986 and 1989. In both fisheries and research data, the proportion of smaller spiny dogfish in the size distribution has increased, reducing the overall mean size. The decline in mean size is probably due to an increase in recruitment of juvenile fish. However, caution in management of this stock is warranted given that the current commercial fishery is now landing a large proportion (estimated 80%) of immature fish. Increased fishing pressure on juveniles could have implications for the abundance of mature fish in upcoming decades.


<em>Abstract</em>.—Using Long Term Resource Monitoring Program data collected from impounded (Pool 26) and unimpounded (Open River) reaches of the upper Mississippi River, we investigated population dynamics of flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em>, channel catfish <em>Ictalurus punctatus</em>, and blue catfish <em>I. furcatus</em> from random sites located in side channel border (SCB) and main channel border (MCB) habitats. Objectives were to (1) compare trends (1993–2007) of three catfishes collected in Pool 26 and Open River reaches of the upper Mississippi River, and (2) provide needed information to managers on population dynamics through time using a binary gear approach of active (i.e., daytime electrofishing) and passive gears (hoopnetting). Active gears resulted in a higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) of all catfishes in each habitat–reach combination as compared to passive gears. Passive gears resulted in negligible catches of blue catfish and flathead catfishes (e.g., mean of <1 fish/net night). Catch per unit effort using active gear resulted in a greater number of channel catfish captured in Pool 26 compared to the Open River, with Open River SCB habitat having the lowest CPUE in most years. Blue catfish in the Open River had a higher CPUE using active gear as compared to Pool 26, with the Open River MCB having the greatest CPUE. Flathead catfish had a higher CPUE in MCB habitat compared to SCB habitat, with the Open River MCB having the highest CPUE in most years. However, declining trends in flathead catfish appears to be occurring in Open River habitats while trends in flathead catfish appear to be slightly increasing in Pool 26. The most common length-classes captured were substock and stock-sized fish regardless of habitat, species, or reach. Trends for channel catfish were easily determined due to high catch rates; however, more monitoring and enhanced sampling is needed to accurately assess flathead catfish and blue catfish trends and to accurately determine demographics for all three species.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 534-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Polacheck ◽  
J Paige Eveson ◽  
Geoff M Laslett ◽  
Kenneth H Pollock ◽  
William S Hearn

A comprehensive framework for modelling data from multiyear tagging experiments in a fishery context is presented that incorporates catch data into the traditional Brownie tag–recapture model. Incorporation of catch data not only allows for improved estimation of natural and fishing mortality rates, but also for direct estimation of population size at the time of tagging. These are the primary quantities required to be estimated in stock assessments — having an approach for directly estimating them that does not require catch rates provides a potentially powerful alternative for augmenting traditional stock assessment methods. Simulations are used to demonstrate the value of directly incorporating catch data in the model. Results from the range of scenarios considered suggest that in addition to providing a precise estimate of population size (coefficients of variation ranging from ~15% to 30%), including catch data can decrease biases in the mortality rate estimates (natural mortality especially) and improve precision of fishing mortality rate estimates (by as much as 60% at age 1). The model is applied to southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) tag–recapture and catch data collected in the 1990s to provide estimates of natural mortality, fishing mortality, and abundance for five cohorts of fish.


2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 1581-1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A Bigelow ◽  
Mark N Maunder

The efficiency of a pelagic longline fishing operation and the species composition of the resulting catch is influenced primarily by the relationship between the distribution of hooks and species vulnerability, with vulnerability described by either depth or some suite of environmental variables. We therefore fitted longline catch rate models to determine whether catch is estimated better by vertically distributing a species by depth or by environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, thermocline gradient, and oxygen concentration). Catch rates were estimated by two methods: (i) monitoring longlines where the vertical distribution of hooks and catch in relation to depth and environmental conditions is known, and (ii) applying a statistical habitat-based standardization (statHBS) model to fishery and environmental data to develop relative abundance indices for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and blue shark (Prionace glauca). Results indicated that an understanding of gear dynamics and environmental influences are important for analyzing catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data correctly. Analyses based on depth-specific catch rates can lead to serious misinterpretation of abundance trends, despite the use of sophisticated statistical techniques (e.g., generalized linear mixed models). This illustrates that inappropriate inclusion or exclusion of important covariates can bias estimates of relative abundance, which may be a common occurrence in CPUE analysis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1893-1901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Q Nguyen ◽  
Odd-Børre Humborstad ◽  
Svein Løkkeborg ◽  
Paul D Winger ◽  
Shannon M Bayse

Abstract Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) has become an important species for the Norwegian seafood industry since its first commercial harvest in 2012. However, periodically catch rates can be low, causing a financial strain on the fishery. Thus, improving the catch rate of existing pot designs has the potential to significantly improve the profitability of fishing enterprises. In this study, we investigated whether the addition of low-powered purple and white light-emitting diode (LED) fishing lights inside the pots could improve catch rates of snow crab in the Barents Sea. Results showed that pots with purple lights harvested a 12.8% higher catch per unit effort (CPUE; number of crab per pot) of legal-sized crab, which was significantly more than the control pots (p = 0.035); pots with white lights did not catch significantly more crab (p &gt; 0.05). Pots equipped with only light (no bait) caught very few crabs and were not considered a viable alternative. Although purple LEDs increased snow crab capture, the economic benefits of using underwater lights in pots remains unclear given the high capital investment required.


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