Spatial structuring within a reservoir fish population: implications for management

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Stewart ◽  
James M. Long ◽  
Daniel E. Shoup

Spatial structuring in reservoir fish populations can exist because of environmental gradients, species-specific behaviour, or even localised fishing effort. The present study investigated whether white crappie exhibited evidence of improved population structure where the northern more productive half of a lake is closed to fishing to provide waterfowl hunting opportunities. Population response to angling was modelled for each substock of white crappie (north (protected) and south (unprotected) areas), the entire lake (single-stock model) and by combining simulations of the two independent substock models (additive model). White crappie in the protected area were more abundant, consisting of larger, older individuals, and exhibited a lower total annual mortality rate than in the unprotected area. Population modelling found that fishing mortality rates between 0.1 and 0.3 resulted in sustainable populations (spawning potential ratios (SPR) >0.30). The population in the unprotected area appeared to be more resilient (SPR>0.30) at the higher fishing intensities (0.35–0.55). Considered additively, the whole-lake fishery appeared more resilient than when modelled as a single-panmictic stock. These results provided evidence of spatial structuring in reservoir fish populations, and we recommend model assessments used to guide management decisions should consider those spatial differences in other populations where they exist.

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriem Bentounsi ◽  
Imane Agmour ◽  
Naceur Achtaich ◽  
Youssef El Foutayeni

We define and study a tritrophic bioeconomic model of Lotka-Volterra with a prey, middle predator, and top predator populations. These fish populations are exploited by two fishermen. We study the existence and the stability of the equilibrium points by using eigenvalues analysis and Routh-Hurwitz criterion. We determine the equilibrium point that maximizes the profit of each fisherman by solving the Nash equilibrium problem. Finally, following some numerical simulations, we observe that if the price varies, then the profit behavior of each fisherman will be changed; also, we conclude that the price change mechanism improves the fishing effort of the fishermen.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Varkey ◽  
Cameron H. Ainsworth ◽  
Tony J. Pitcher

Marine ecosystem models are used to investigate marine protected area (MPA) benefits for coral reef ecosystems located in Raja Ampat, in the heart of the Coral Triangle. Field data from an integrated and diverse research project is used to develop a spatial ecosystem model using Ecopath, Ecosim, and Ecospace modelling software. The ecological and fisheries responses of a reef ecosystem to different levels of fishing effort restrictions inside MPAs are explored. The trade-offs of allowing some fisheries to operate inside the MPAs versus designating the MPAs as no-take zones are highlighted. The results show that rapid rebuilding of reef fish populations, especially the large charismatic species, requires no-take areas. Distinct trade-offs in spillover benefits are observed between partially fished and no-take MPAs.


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).


2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Fonteneau ◽  
Nicolas Richard

This paper analyses the local relationship between effort, catches, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and abundance of target species (such as tunas) and of non-target species (such as billfishes). The Indian Ocean longline fisheries are taken as an example. This paper evaluates the potential bias in the relationship between local CPUE and abundance when fisheries are increasing their fishing effort. A presentation of the Indian Ocean longline fisheries is carried out. A statistical analysis of CPUE is conducted using a generalized additive model which tends to indicate that the local effort is an important component in the statistical behaviour of the local CPUE. A migratory model in which both resources and fisheries are mobile was built. This model simulates the combined exploitation of two species, a target and a bycatch species, both fished at increasing intensity. This model confirms the potential bias as a result of the concentration of fishing effort in areas of high density of the target species. It also suggests that the CPUE of bycatch species may be more heavily biased because of their status. It is recommended that local fishing efforts should preferably be taken into account in order to calculate the CPUE of both target and non-target species.


2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Vinther ◽  
Margit Eero

Abstract Vinther, M., and Eero, M. 2013. Quantifying relative fishing impact on fish populations based on spatio-temporal overlap of fishing effort and stock density. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 618–627. Evaluations of the effects of management measures on fish populations are usually based on the analyses of population dynamics and estimates of fishing mortality from stock assessments. However, this approach may not be applicable in all cases, in particular for data-limited stocks, which may suffer from uncertain catch information and consequently lack reliable estimates of fishing mortality. In this study we develop an approach to obtain proxies for changes in fishing mortality based on effort information and predicted stock distribution. Cod in the Kattegat is used as an example. We use GAM analyses to predict local cod densities and combine this with spatio-temporal data of fishing effort based on VMS (Vessel Monitoring System). To quantify local fishing impact on the stock, retention probability of the gears is taken into account. The results indicate a substantial decline in the impact of the Danish demersal trawl fleet on cod in the Kattegat in recent years, due to a combination of closed areas, introduction of selective gears and changes in overall effort.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Zhou ◽  
Ross M Daley ◽  
Michael Fuller ◽  
Cathy M Bulman ◽  
Alistair J Hobday

Abstract To assess fishing effects on data-poor species, impact can be derived from spatial overlap between species distribution and fishing effort and gear catchability. Here, we enhance the existing sustainability assessment for fishing effect method by estimating gear efficiency and heterogeneous density from sporadic catch data. We apply the method to two chondrichthyan bycatch species, Bight Skate and Draughtboard Shark in Australia, to assess cumulative fishing mortality (Fcum) from multiple fisheries. Gear efficiency is estimated from a Bayesian mixture distribution model and fish density is predicted by a generalized additive model. These results, combined with actual fishing effort, allow estimation of fishing mortality in each sector and subsequently, the Fcum. Risk is quantified by comparing Fcum with reference points based on life history parameters. When only the point estimates were considered, our result indicates that for the period 2009 and 2010 Bight Skate caught in 14 fisheries was at high cumulative risk (Fcum ≥ Flim) while Draughtboard Shark caught by 19 fisheries was at low cumulative risk (Fcum ≤ Fmsy). Because of the high cost of conducting cumulative risk assessments, we recommend examining the distribution of fishing effort across fisheries before carrying out the assessments.


Author(s):  
Vladimir Dmitrievich Bogdanov ◽  
Elena Nikolaevna Bogdanova ◽  
Yan Albertovich Kizhevatov ◽  
Irina Pavlovna Melnichenko

The data of studies of fish populations in the basin of the Baidaratayakha river, received in 1998, 2002, 2013, 2014 are summarized for the first time. 18 species of fish are noted. Most of them belong to commercial and valuable species. The greatest species diversity is characteristic of the lower reaches of the river. In deep lakes and sections of the river near these lakes the density of fishes is higher. Scantiness of the fish population of river sites is due to the fact that most of the riverbeds in winter freeze. For this reason, there is no common minnow in the rivers. In most of the tundra non-riverine lakes that dominate among the waterbodies of the basin, there are no fish due to their shallow water and freezing. Some lakes of the lower reaches of the Baidaratayakha river are inhabited by fish only in summer (Asian smelt for breeding and whitefish for feeding). In some lakes, residential groupings (whitefish and pike) are formed. The estuary is used for feeding of whitefish from the Yuribey river and migrants from various regions of the Kara Sea (Arctic char, pink salmon, omul). The omul remains for the wintering in the estuary, most of the other whitefish return to the Yuribey river. The number of populations of residential forms of fish in most lakes is low due to low fish productivity and poaching. To preserve the resources of valuable fish species, it is proposed to include into the existing reserve Gornohadatinsky section of the upper and middle course of the Baidaratayakha river, where there are lakes that provide a reserve of grayling, and spawning grounds for the reproduction of arctic char and pink salmon.


2007 ◽  
Vol 274 (1613) ◽  
pp. 1015-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P Swain ◽  
Alan F Sinclair ◽  
J Mark Hanson

Many collapsed fish populations have failed to recover after a decade or more with little fishing. This may reflect evolutionary change in response to the highly selective mortality imposed by fisheries. Recent experimental work has demonstrated a rapid genetic change in growth rate in response to size-selective harvesting of laboratory fish populations. Here, we use a 30-year time-series of back-calculated lengths-at-age to test for a genetic response to size-selective mortality in the wild in a heavily exploited population of Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ). Controlling for the effects of density- and temperature-dependent growth, the change in mean length of 4-year-old cod between offspring and their parental cohorts was positively correlated with the estimated selection differential experienced by the parental cohorts between this age and spawning. This result supports the hypothesis that there have been genetic changes in growth in this population in response to size-selective fishing. Such changes may account for the continued small size-at-age in this population despite good conditions for growth and little fishing for over a decade. This study highlights the need for management regimes that take into account the evolutionary consequences of fishing.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document