Fish Stock Assessment Manual

This manual examines mathematical models applied in fish stock assessment, including models and variation rates; cohort models and analyses; stock fishing patterns, components, stock-recruitment relations, short- and long-term stock projections; fisheries resources management with regards to biological reference points and regulation measures; production models; estimation of parameters; and exercises.

This manual starts with an introduction to the mathematical models applied in fish stock assessment. The basic assumptions about a model and the concepts of variation rates of a characteristic in relation to time are presented. The concept of cohort and models for the individual growth of the cohort are developed. In the chapter concerning the study of the stock, the fishing pattern and its components are defined, the most used models for the stock-recruitment relation are presented, as well as the short- and long-term projections of a stock. With regard to fisheries resources management, the discussion is focused on the biological reference points. Finally, the general methods of estimating parameters with special relevance to the cohort analysis by age and length are described. The exercises from the last course held in the Instituto de Investigacao das Pescas e do Mar, Portugal are presented by the author and the scientist Manuela Azevedo. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; The importance of fisheries, Fisheries resources management; Fisheries resources research, Fish stock assessment; Chapter 2: Models and Rates; Models, Rates, Simple linear model, Exponential model; Chapter 3: Cohort; Cohort-Introduction, Evolution of the number of a cohort, in an interval of time, Catch, in number, over an interval T1, Cohort during the exploitable life, Simplification of beverton and holt; Chapter 4: Stock; Stock over a one year period, Fishing pattern over a one year period, Short-term projections of the stock, Stock-recruitment (S-R) relation, Relation between R and B (R-S relation); Chapter 5: Biological Reference Points and Regulation Measures; Biological reference points for the management and conservation of fisheries resources, Biological target reference points (Fmax, F0.1, Fmed and FMSY), Biological limit reference points (Bloss, MBAL, Fcrash and Floss), Precautionary reference points-Fpa, Bpa, Fisheries regulation measures; Chapter 6: Production Models; Basic assumption about the evolution of the biomass of a non exploited stock, Exploited stock, Variation of the biomass in the interval Ti, Long term projections (LT) (Equilibrium conditions), Biomass and fishing level indices, Biological target reference points (TRP), Types of production models, Short term projections; Chapter 7: Estimation of Parameters; Simple linear regression-least squares method, Multiple linear regression-least squares method, Non-linear model-method of gauss-newton-least squares method, Estimation of growth parameters, Estimation of M-Natural mortality coefficient, Estimation of Z-total mortality coefficient, Estimation of the parameters of the stock-recruitment (S-R) relation, Estimation of the matrix [F] and of the matrix [N]-cohort analyses-AC and LCA; Chapter 8: Exercises; Mathematical revision, Rates, Simple linear model, Exponential model, Cohort-evolution in number, Cohort-catch in number, Individual growth in length and weight, Cohort during all life-biomass and catch in weight, Cohort during its life-simplification of beverton and holt model, Stock-short term projection, Stock-long term projection, Stock-recruitment relation, Fmax, F0.1, Fmed and FMSY, MBAL and Bloss, Floss and Fcrash, Production models (equilibrium)-schaefer, Production models (equilibrium)-abundance and fishing level indices, Production models-short term projection, Simple linear regression-estimation of the parameters of the W-L relation and growth parameters (ford-walford, gulland and holt and stamatopoulos and caddy), Multiple linear model-revision of matrices-estimation of the parameters of fox integrated model (IFOX), Non linear regression-estimation of the growth parameters and of the S-R relation (gauss-newton method), Estimation of M, Estimation of Z, Age cohort analysis (LCA), Examination-written test (lisbon, dec 1977).

Describes the scientific techniques used in assessing fish stocks, evaluating the effect of fishing on these stocks, and the probable impact of different policies for developing and managing fisheries. Covers the techniques developed starting with simple models and continuing to more complex methods.

Virtual population analysis (VPA) is a widely used model for the analysis of fished populations. While there are many VPA techniques, they vary in the way they use data and fit the model rather than in the form of the model itself. This manual describes the common VPA model and the assumptions on which it is based, together with descriptions of associated diagnostic procedures and common reference points

This publication contains guidelines for fish stock assessment and fishery management using the software tools and other outputs developed by the UK Department for International Development's Fisheries Management Science Programme (FMSP) from 1992 to 2004. It includes a CD-ROM with the installation files for each of the four FMSP software tools: LFDA (Length Frequency Data Analysis), CEDA (Catch Effort Data Analysis), YIELD and ParFish (Participatory Fisheries Stock Assessment).