scholarly journals A Bayesian hierarchical approach to estimate growth parameters from length data of narrow spread

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 613-623
Author(s):  
Shijie Zhou ◽  
Sarah Martin ◽  
Dan Fu ◽  
Rishi Sharma

Abstract Estimating fish growth from length frequency data is challenging. There is often a lack of clearly separated modes and modal progression in the length samples due to a combination of factors, including gear selectivity, slowing growth with increasing age, and spatial segregation of different year classes. In this study, we present an innovative Bayesian hierarchical model (BHM) that enables growth to be estimated where there are few distinguishable length modes in the samples. We analyse and identify the modes in multiple length frequency strata using a multinormal mixture model and then integrate the modes and associated variances into the BHM to estimate von Bertalanffy growth parameters. The hierarchical approach allows the parameters to be estimated at regional levels, where they are assumed to represent subpopulations, as well as at species level for the whole stock. We carry out simulations to validate the method and then demonstrate its application to Indian Ocean longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol). The results show that the estimates are generally consistent with the range of estimates reported in the literature, but with less uncertainty. The BHM can be useful for deriving growth parameters for other species even if the length data contain few age classes and do not exhibit modal progression.

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
GOPALAN MAHADEVAN ◽  
PALANIVEL BHARATHIRAJAN ◽  
VELAYUTHAM RAVI ◽  
MOJTABA POULADI ◽  
MARYAM MIRZAEI VAND KHANGHAH

Mahadevan G, Bharathirajan P, Ravi V, Pouladi M, Mirzaei Vand Khanghah M. 2019. Short Communication: Age and growth of elongated mudskipper, Pseudapocryptes elongatus (Cuvier, 1816) from Sundarbans, India. Biodiversitas 20: 85-90. The estimation of age and mathematical expression of fish growth is complex and debated subject in fishery sciences. Growth parameters of elongated mudskipper, Pseudapocryptes elongatus were estimated based on the length frequency data using FiSAT II software (several tools such as Powell-Wetherall method, ELEFAN and von Bertalanffy growth estimates). Samples were collected from Sundarbans mangroves using gill and cast nets and by hand picking. The length-frequency (LFQ) of P.elongatus was recorded from January 2014 to December 2015 and the above tools estimated the growth parameters (L∞, K and t0) from the progression of LFQ modes through time. L∞ and K values of males were 220.50 mm and 1.3 yr-1, respectively and similarly, L∞ and K values of females were 221.05 mm and 1.21 yr-1, respectively. The t0 values estimated for males and females were-0.1915 years and-0.1661 years, respectively. The estimated growth performance index (Φ) values for males and females of P. elongatus were 4.394 and 4.503, respectively. The lifespan of both the sexes was found to be 4+ years.


2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 798-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humber A. Andrade ◽  
Paul G. Kinas

Abstract Converting length frequencies into age frequencies is an important component of a fisheries assessment. In this paper we use a length frequency analysis (LFA) to estimate birthdates after converting length data into catch-at-age, and use simulation studies to compare model-selection criteria and to examine the reliability of the resulting estimates. Deviance and an adaptation of the Akaike Information Criterion performed best. LFA results in useful estimates of birthdates and of catch-at-age if reliable length frequency data and estimates of growth parameters are available. The analysis is applied to skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) caught in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Although spawning is reported to be seasonal in subtropical waters, the birthdates of the fish caught there were spread uniformly across the year. Young skipjack become vulnerable to fishing mainly in the first quarter of each year. Recruitment of strong year classes did not affect fishery yields equally in the Southwest Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea, so the assumption of a unit western stock for management purposes and the stock structure of skipjack in the Atlantic need further evaluation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Sevi Sawetri ◽  
Subagdja Subagdja ◽  
Dina Muthmainnah

The Malayan leaf fish or locally named as kepor (Pristolepis grooti) is one of important biotic components in Ranau Lake ecosystems. This study aimed to estimate population dynamic and exploitation rate of kepor in Ranau Lake, South Sumatera. The population parameters are estimated based on length frequency data which were collected in March to October 2013. Growth parameters and fishing mortality rates were calculated using FiSAT software package. The results showed that kepor’s growth was negative allometric, which tended to gain length faster than weight. Kepor population was dominated (42%) by individual length of 10.0 to 11.0 cm. Predicted length infinity (L) was 17.28 cm with high value of growth rates (K) of 1.4 year-1. The natural mortality rate (M) is 2.57 year-1, the fishing mortality rate (F) is 5.36 year-1 and total mortality rate (Z) is 7.93 year-1. The exploitation rate of Malayan leaf fish in Ranau Lake (E = 0.68 year-1) has passed the optimum score.  


Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Mirzaei ◽  
Zulfigar Yasin ◽  
Aileen Tan Shau Hwai

Length-weight relationship, growth parameters and mortality rates ofAnadara granosain the intertidal zone of Balik Pulau, Penang Island, West Coast of Malaysia were investigated based on monthly length-frequency data (December 2011 to November 2012). A total of 548 individuals ranging from 11.25 to 33.13 mm size were subjected to analysis. Logarithmic relationship between the length and weight was LogW = 2.328LogL − 2.537 (R2 = 0.922) for combined sexes. From this equation it was clear that the exponent ‘b’ value forA. granosashowed a negative allometric growth (b < 3). A von Bertalanffy growth function with an asymptotic length (L∞) of 35.40 mm and a growth constant (K) of 1.1 year−1was established from length frequency distributions. Thet0(−0.140) was estimated by substituting theL∞andKin the Pauly's equation. The sizes attained byA. granosawere 10.13, 14.36, 17.89, 20.82, 23.56 and 25.29 mm at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months, respectively. The estimated growth performance index (Ø) was 3.13 while the estimated lifespan of the cockles was about 2.72 years at the study area. The estimated value of total mortality based on length-converted catch curve wasZ = 3.02 year−1. The natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) rates were 1.84 and 0.48 year−1, respectively. The exploitation level (E) ofA. granosawas 0.20, which indicated slight fishing pressure on the stock.


2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 1626-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R O'Farrell ◽  
Louis W Botsford

The percentage of unfished lifetime egg production (LEP) has been used to represent persistence in precautionary fisheries management, but estimation of this reference point requires substantial data and it is sensitive to errors in natural mortality rate. We present an estimation method that quantifies the change in LEP by a fishery when only length frequency samples, one early in the fishery and one recent, are available for assessment. Using simulated length frequency data with known parameter values, estimates of LEP had undetectable bias when challenged with random sampling variability and sample sizes as low as 100. Simulation of artificial data with (i) growth parameters that differed from the estimation model, (ii) transient size structures, and (iii) recruitment variability led to predictably biased estimates. In a direct comparison with the spawning potential ratio reference point, fractional LEP was much less sensitive to errors in natural mortality rate. Application of this method to length frequency data for blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) for years between 1980 and 2003 suggests that during this interval, LEP has been reduced to levels of concern.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Joseph Aggrey-Fynn ◽  
Divine Worlanyo Hotor

Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus, 1758) and Apsilus fuscus (Valenciennes, 1830) are commercially important fish species in Ghana. The stocks are exploited mainly by the artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries. Growth and mortality rates, and exploitation levels of the two stocks in inshore waters of Ghana were assessed as a contribution to fill the knowledge gap on the species. Samples were obtained from three landing sites along the coast of Ghana from February to July, 2017. Length-frequency data were used to estimate growth, mortality and exploitation ratios. The modal class for S. sphyraena was 37.0–39.9 cm total length (TL) and 34.0–35.9 cm TL for A. fuscus. The length and weight relationships established that growth in S. sphyraena was negative allometric, whereas that of A. fuscus was isometric. The estimated growth parameters from the length frequency data fitted with the von Bertalanffy growth function were asymptotic length (L∞) of 69.9 cm TL for S. sphyraena and 53.5 cm TL for A. fuscus. The growth constant (K) was calculated as 1.64 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.50 yr-1 for A. fuscus. The mean length-at-first capture (Lc) was found to be lower than the mean length at sexual maturity (Lm) for both species. The sex ratio showed a dominance of females over males in S. sphyraena, and 1:1 for A. fuscus. The total mortality rate (Z) for S. sphyraena was more than for A. fuscus. The estimated natural mortality (M) was 1.88 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.74 yr-1 for A. fuscus whilst fishing mortality (F) rate was 3.04 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.93 yr-1 for A. fuscus. The exploitation ratio showed that both fish stocks were exploited over the optimum levels. The estimated population parameters of the species obtained from the study, therefore, might be useful for the sustainable management of the stocks.


1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Fournier ◽  
John R. Sibert ◽  
Jacek Majkowski ◽  
John Hampton

We present a method for simultaneously analyzing multiple length frequency data sets. The method utilizes a robust likelihood-based estimation procedure that provides an objective criterion for hypothesis testing. The method is applied to length frequency data from southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) for which independent estimates of growth parameters based on tag return data are available. The estimates of the growth parameters from the new method were found to be in substantial agreement with the values previously obtained for these parameters. The strength of the likelihood approach is demonstrated by discriminating between alternative structural hypotheses for describing the data. The ability to simultaneously analyze multiple samples permits the method to exploit the extra information not available when analyzing samples one by one. The computer program maintains a database of fits to the data which enable the user to organize the results of the analysis. Graphical displays permit the user to view any of the fits, and an interactive graphics routine aids the user to find good initial parameter estimates.


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