scholarly journals Compensatory responses by managers, commercial and recreational harvesters to variation in stock abundance of Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrine Turgeon ◽  
Kevin B. Reid ◽  
John M. Fryxell ◽  
Thomas D. Nudds
Keyword(s):  
Lake Erie ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Risk Governance ◽  
Sander Vitreus ◽  
Commercial Harvest ◽  
Stock Assessments ◽  
Governance Processes ◽  
Fishery Collapse ◽  
Stock Abundance

AbstractDelayed quota adjustments, and/or lagged fishing effort and catch by harvesters, to changes in stock abundance may induce unstable population dynamics and exacerbate the risk of fishery collapse. We examined a 39-y time series of change to quotas by managers, and to effort and catch by both commercial harvesters and anglers, in response to changes in Lake Erie walleye abundance (Sander vitreus) estimated both contemporaneously and retrospectively. Quotas, commercial effort and catch were entrained by contemporaneous estimates of stock abundance. Recreational effort and harvest were not; they had better tracked abundance, as better estimated today, than did the commercial fishery. During the 1990s, a significant mismatch developed between the quota-driven commercial harvest and stock abundance that persisted until a new assessment process obtained. The quasi-open access recreational fishery, instead, freed anglers to respond better to stock abundance. Further elaboration of adaptive risk governance processes, including multi-model inference for stock assessments, may bode well to further reduce risk to fisheries imposed by lagged adjustments to variation in stock abundance.

scholarly journals Assessing the Potential of Catch-Only Models to Inform on the State of Global Fisheries and the UN’s SDGs

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6101
Author(s):  
Rishi Sharma ◽  
Henning Winker ◽  
Polina Levontin ◽  
Laurence Kell ◽  
Dan Ovando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
The State ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Traditional Assessment ◽  
Stock Status ◽  
Stock Assessments ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Measure Of Performance

Catch-only models (COMs) have been the focus of ongoing research into data-poor stock assessment methods. Two of the most recent models that are especially promising are (i) CMSY+, the latest refined version of CMSY that has progressed from Catch-MSY, and (ii) SRA+ (Stock Reduction Analysis Plus) a recent developments in field. Comparing COMs and evaluating their relative performance is essential for determining the state of regional and global fisheries that may be lacking necessary data that would be required to run traditional assessment models. In this paper we interrogate how performance of COMs can be improved by incorporating additional sources of information. We evaluate the performance of COMs on a dataset of 48 data-rich ICES (International Council for the Exploration of Seas) stock assessments. As one measure of performance, we consider the ability of the model to correctly classify stock status using FAO’s 3-tier classification that is also used for reporting on sustainable development goals to the UN. Both COMs showed notable bias when run with their inbuilt default heuristics, but as the quality of prior information increased, classification rates for the terminal year improved substantially. We conclude that although further COM refinements show some potential, most promising is the ongoing research into developing biomass or fishing effort priors for COMs in order to be able to reliably track stock status for the majority of the world’s fisheries currently lacking stock assessments.

scholarly journals Risk assessment of cartilaginous fish populations

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 1057-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enric Cortés ◽  
Elizabeth N. Brooks ◽  
Kyle W. Shertzer
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cartilaginous Fish ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Model Complexity ◽  
Stock Assessments ◽  
Demographic Methods

Abstract We review three broad categories of risk assessment methodology used for cartilaginous fish: productivity-susceptibility analysis (PSA), demographic methods, and quantitative stock assessments. PSA is generally a semi-quantitative approach useful as an exploratory or triage tool that can be used to prioritize research, group species with similar vulnerability or risk, and provide qualitative management advice. Demographic methods are typically used in the conservation arena and provide quantitative population metrics that are used to quantify extinction risk and identify vulnerable life stages. Stock assessments provide quantitative estimates of population status and the associated risk of exceeding biological reference points, such as maximum sustainable yield. We then describe six types of uncertainty (process, observation, model, estimation, implementation, and institutional) that affect the risk assessment process, identify which of the three risk assessment methods can accommodate each type of uncertainty, and provide examples mostly for sharks drawn from our experience in the United States. We also review the spectrum of stock assessment methods used mainly for sharks in the United States, and present a case study where multiple methods were applied to the same species (dusky shark, Carcharinus obscurus) to illustrate differing degrees of model complexity and type of uncertainty considered. Finally, we address the common and problematic case of data-poor bycatch species. Our main recommendation for future work is to use Management Strategy Evaluation or similar simulation approaches to explore the effect of different sources of uncertainty, identify the most critical data to satisfy predetermined management objectives, and develop harvest control rules for cartilaginous fish. We also propose to assess the performance of data-poor and -rich methods through stepwise model construction.

scholarly journals North Sea cod recovery?

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Horwood ◽  
Carl O'Brien ◽  
Chris Darby
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
Stock Assessments ◽  
Low Levels

AbstractRecovery of depleted marine, demersal, commercial fish stocks has proved elusive worldwide. As yet, just a few shared or highly migratory stocks have been restored. Here we review the current status of the depleted North Sea cod (Gadus morhua), the scientific advice to managers, and the recovery measures in place. Monitoring the progress of North Sea cod recovery is now hampered by considerable uncertainties in stock assessments associated with low stock size, variable survey indices, and inaccurate catch data. In addition, questions arise as to whether recovery targets are achievable in a changing natural environment. We show that current targets are achievable with fishing mortality rates that are compatible with international agreements even if recruitment levels remain at the current low levels. Furthermore, recent collations of data on international fishing effort have allowed estimation of the cuts in fishing mortality achieved by restrictions on North Sea effort. By the beginning of 2005, these restrictions are estimated to have reduced fishing mortality rates by about 37%. This is insufficient to ensure recovery of North Sea cod within the next decade.

The influence of larval growth rate on juvenile recruitment in Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-555
Author(s):  
Cassandra J. May ◽  
Stuart A. Ludsin ◽  
David C. Glover ◽  
Elizabeth A. Marschall
Keyword(s):  
Lake Erie ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
Fast Growth ◽  
Sander Vitreus ◽  
Selective Mortality ◽  
Growth Selection ◽  
Poor Recruitment ◽  
The Relationship

Growth-selective mortality as larvae can influence recruitment in marine fishes. Its importance in freshwater fishes, however, remains speculative. We quantified growth trajectories within annual cohorts (2011–2013) of Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus) and their relationship with recruitment. We hypothesized that selection against slow or fast growth would be associated with high mortality and poor recruitment, whereas weak or nonexistent growth-selective mortality co-occurring with fast growth would be associated with good recruitment. We used otoliths to reconstruct growth rates during the first 15 days of life from larvae collected during spring and juvenile recruits (survivors) collected during late summer. We documented growth-selective mortality during 2011 and 2013, which exhibited poor recruitment as expected. During 2012, growth selection was absent, but growth was slow when compared to historical averages, resulting in poor recruitment. Growth was also considered slow in 2011 and 2013, due to multiple interacting conditions. Our study indicates that the relationship among larval growth, mortality, and future recruitment is complex, highlighting the need for continued research into how larval processes affect recruitment dynamics in freshwater fishes.

scholarly journals Overlooked biological and economic implications of within-season fishery dynamics

2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaozi Liu ◽  
Mikko Heino
Keyword(s):  
Concentration Profile ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Fishing Pressure ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Total Stock ◽  
Stock Abundance

Catch equations relate fisheries catch to initial fish abundance and the applied fishing pressure. The Baranov catch equation, often simply referred to as the catch equation, is the commonest one. However, there are exactly three ways of describing seasonal progression of fishing parsimoniously with a single parameter: assume catch rate, fishing effort, or fishing mortality is constant, the last being the assumption underlying the Baranov catch equation. These assumptions imply different dynamics, and only in special cases two of these assumptions can hold true simultaneously. Whether this happens is dictated by the concentration profile (i.e., the dependence of mean fish density where fishing takes place on total stock abundance). We show that the assumed seasonal progression of fishing and the type of the concentration profile have major implications for fishery dynamics as well as biological and economic consequences of fishing, calling for increased awareness of these overlooked assumptions of fishery dynamics. However, in many cases the Baranov catch equation serves as a good approximation, even when its assumption of constant fishing mortality is violated.

Including independent estimates and uncertainty to quantify total abundance of fish migrating in a large river system: walleye (Sander vitreus) in the Maumee River, Ohio

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 803-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy J. Pritt ◽  
Mark R. DuFour ◽  
Christine M. Mayer ◽  
Patrick M. Kocovsky ◽  
Jeffrey T. Tyson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Larval Fish ◽  
River System ◽  
Large River ◽  
Sander Vitreus ◽  
Sex Structure ◽  
Gill Net ◽  
Space Modeling ◽  
Spawning Stock ◽  
Credible Intervals ◽  
Stock Abundance

Walleye (Sander vitreus) in Lake Erie is a valuable and migratory species that spawns in tributaries. We used hydroacoustic sampling, gill net sampling, and Bayesian state-space modeling to estimate the spawning stock abundance, characterize size and sex structure, and explore environmental factors cuing migration of walleye in the Maumee River for 2011 and 2012. We estimated the spawning stock abundance to be between 431 000 and 1 446 000 individuals in 2011 and between 386 400 and 857 200 individuals in 2012 (95% Bayesian credible intervals). A back-calculation from a concurrent larval fish study produced an estimate of 78 000 to 237 000 spawners for 2011. The sex ratio was skewed towards males early in the spawning season but approached 1:1 later, and larger individuals entered the river earlier in the season than smaller individuals. Walleye migration was greater during low river discharge and intermediate temperatures. Our approach to estimating absolute abundance and uncertainty as well as characterization of the spawning stock could improve assessment and management of this species, and our methodology is applicable to other diadromous populations.

Does hypoxia reduce habitat quality for Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus)? A bioenergetics perspective

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Brandt ◽  
Marco Costantini ◽  
Sarah Kolesar ◽  
Stuart A. Ludsin ◽  
Doran M. Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Sander Vitreus ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Favorable Temperature ◽  
East West

In Lake Erie, the duration and extent of hypoxia (dissolved oxygen (DO)  ≤ 2 mg·L–1) has increased in recent years, yet little is known on the corresponding impact on its fish, particularly the highly valued walleye ( Sander vitreus ) fishery. Here, we quantified the impact of hypoxia on walleye habitat quality, using a spatially explicit growth rate potential (GRP) modeling approach, which integrates the spatial arrangement of biological (prey availability) and environmental (DO, temperature, irradiance) measures. Data were collected along two types of transects: 60 km north–south transects (each sampled once during day and night) and 5 km east–west transects (sampled every 4 h for 24 h) during August (pre-hypoxia), September (peak-hypoxia), and October (post-hypoxia) 2005. Overall, the average monthly amount of high quality habitat (GRP > 0 g·g–1·day–1) for walleye declined slightly with hypoxia (<2.0%); however, hypoxia appeared to enhance habitat quality by concentrating prey in favorable temperature, DO, and light conditions. In September, percentages of walleye growth rates were at the upper end of the range, much more so than during August or October. Although an understanding of walleye distributions, foraging, and growth in relation to hypoxia is needed, our results do not suggest that hypoxia is negatively influencing walleye through reduced habitat quality.

scholarly journals Quantifying relative fishing impact on fish populations based on spatio-temporal overlap of fishing effort and stock density

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Vinther ◽  
Margit Eero
Keyword(s):  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Fishing Impact ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Stock Assessments ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Substantial Decline ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Temporal Overlap

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.

scholarly journals A framework for profiling the characteristics of risk governance in natural hazard contexts

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 2207-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Walker ◽  
F. Tweed ◽  
R. Whittle
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Natural Hazard ◽  
Risk Governance ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Policy Area ◽  
Full Diversity ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Governance Processes ◽  
And Control

Abstract. The observed moves over recent decades away from government towards a broader practice of "governance" is as relevant to the handling of natural hazards as it is to other societal concerns. Key characteristics of this change include the emergence of multi-level governance processes and the "hollowing out" of the nation state; shifts away from the exercise of centralised authority towards the involvement and collaboration of a multiplicity of actors specific to each policy area; the creation of new forms of authority and control; and changing distributions of responsibilities between the state and other actors. However, the extent to which these shifts have taken place across the full diversity of national contexts in Europe, and can be observed specifically in relation to the governance of natural hazards, is very much open to judgement and debate. In this paper, we propose a framework for profiling risk governance in relation to key characteristics identified in both the general governance literature and in more specific work on risk governance. This framework can be flexibly applied in relation to a specific hazard and national/regional context and enables qualitative profiling across a spectrum of eight governance characteristics. Past trends and likely future changes can also be represented. We discuss the formulation of this framework as well as illustrating how it can be used in a process of discussion and debate about risk governance issues. We provide examples of the ways in which the profiling approach can enable comparison between risk governance contexts and approaches, and how it can be used in a variety of potential settings.

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