An Analysis of the Hecate Strait Pacific Cod Fishery Using an Age-structured Model Incorporating Density-dependent Effects

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1233-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Fournier

An age-structured model was used to analyze the Hecate Strait Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) fishery for the years 1960–80. The data consisted of estimates of fishing effort, together with estimates of numbers of fish at age caught in each year. The latter estimates were derived from length–frequency analysis. A stock–recruitment relationship of the Ricker type with an additional environmental factor was estimated. The data is also analyzed for evidence of the existence of age-dependent trends in natural mortality, density-dependent trends in natural mortality and catchability, and for time-dependent trends in catchability. Evidence of a density-dependent trend in natural mortality was discovered. The average level of natural mortality was also estimated to be 0.65.

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1766-1771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Lawson ◽  
Ray Hilborn

The equilibrium properties of an age-structured model that includes any arbitrary age-specific weights, vulnerabilities, fecundities, and natural mortality rates, combined with stock–recruitment relationships, are derived. The numbers, biomass, and catch at each age can be calculated quite simply. These relationships can be used to construct yield-isopleth diagrams, or to plot equilibrium yield and biomass against harvest intensity. We used the results to compute yield isopleths for the Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) fishery. The analysis can also include a fishing season of any specified length. Relationships are given to translate the aggregate properties of the age-structured models into several alternative surplus production models.


1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1721-1731 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G Clark

The abundance of many stocks is estimated by fitting an age-structured model to catch-at-age and relative abundance data from the commercial fishery and scientific surveys. The natural mortality rate used in the model is usually estimated externally and its value is uncertain. An erroneous natural mortality rate will bias the stock size estimates obtained by fitting the model and will also bias the yield calculations that are done to choose a harvest rate and recommend quotas. This paper describes the general features of both effects by analyzing a simple age-structured model fitted to artificial data. It is shown that an erroneous natural mortality rate mainly affects the estimates of fishing mortality and hence abundance but not the estimates of age-specific selectivity. Errors in estimated abundance and target harvest rate are always in the same direction, with the result that, in the short term, extremely high exploitation rates can be recommended (unintentionally) in cases where the natural mortality rate is overestimated and historical exploitation rates in the catch-at-age data are low. A conservative (low) estimate of natural mortality can avoid that danger. Long-term yield under either an FMSY or F35% strategy is not very sensitive to error in natural mortality rate unless it is grossly underestimated.


2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn E Forrest ◽  
Steven J.D. Martell ◽  
Michael C Melnychuk ◽  
Carl J Walters

Previous authors have shown analytically that the optimal equilibrium harvest rate (UMSY) for an iteroparous fish stock is a function of the slope of the stock-recruitment curve at low stock size (α) and that UMSY can therefore be considered a direct measure of stock productivity. As such, it can be used as a leading parameter in stock assessment models and directly estimated using Bayesian or similar techniques. Here we present an alternative method for deriving α from UMSY that incorporates age-specific selectivity and fecundity, avoiding assumptions of knife-edged recruitment and maturity. We present an age-structured model with two fisheries reference points (UMSY and maximum sustainable yield, MSY) as its leading parameters. We show equilibrium properties of the model, chiefly in terms of its ability to show relationships between life history traits, density dependence, and UMSY. We also demonstrate a simple Bayesian estimation routine to illustrate estimation of UMSY and MSY directly from data. We compare our results to those from a structurally identical model with leading biological parameters. Using models with leading management parameters can improve communicability of results to managers.


Crustaceana ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 581-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana Lopez-Martinez ◽  
Edgar Alcantara-Razo ◽  
Sergio Hernandez-Vazquez ◽  
Ernesto Chavez

AbstractA stock of rock shrimp Sicyonia penicillata was assessed in a fishery recently opened at Bahoa Kino, Sonora, Mexico. An age-structured model with stochastic recruitment was developed, which considers growth rate, natural mortality, and fishing mortality by age. Age groups were followed year by year with a stock-recruitment Ricker function where the seasonal recruitment pattern was defined as well. Simulations might be interpreted as showing a stable population with four year cycles, reflecting a density-dependent process. In 1996, fishing intensity had an apparent compensatory effect on the stock, decreasing the amplitude of natural oscillations and maintaining the stock at a biomass level similar to the size observed in a condition of no exploitation. The stock was found currently underexploited. As a result of the seasonal accessibility and the age of first-catch fishing (adult shrimp), the stock might be capable to withstand high fishing pressure without being overexploited. Se evaluo una poblacion de camaron de roca Sicyonia penicillata, de una pesqueroa recientemente abierta en Bahoa Kino, Sonora, Mexico. Se desarrollo un modelo basado en la estructura por edades que considera reclutamiento estocastico, tasa de crecimiento, mortalidad natural y mortalidad por pesca por grupo de edad. Estos grupos de edad fueron determinados ano tras ano mediante la funcion de reclutamiento de Ricker, en los que tambien se definio el patron estacional de reclutamiento. Las simulaciones muestran una poblacion estable con ciclos de cuatro anos, que indican un proceso de densodependencia. En 1996, la intensidad de pesca tuvo un efecto compensatorio sobre la poblacion, reduciendo la amplitud de las oscilaciones naturales y manteniendo al stock en un nivel de biomasa similar al observado en la condicion sin explotacion. Se encontro que el recurso esta subexplotado. Como resultado de la accesibilidad estacional y de que la edad de primera captura corresponde a camaron adulto, el recurso soporta alta presion de pesca sin dar evidencias de sobreexplotacion.


Author(s):  
Richard Langton ◽  
James Lindholm ◽  
James Wilson ◽  
Sally Sherman

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