Estimating riverine fish population size from single- and multiple-pass removal sampling using a hierarchical model

A hierarchical model is described for estimating population size from single- and multiple-pass removal sampling. The model is appropriate for two-stage sampling schemes, typified by surveys of riverine fish populations, in which multiple sites are surveyed, but a low number of passes are undertaken at each site. The model estimates the average population size within the target area from the raw catch data, and thus allows for differences in the sampling procedure at each site, such as including single-pass sampling. The model also uses the data from all sites to estimate the population size at each individual site. This results in generally improved precision for multiple-pass sites and provides comparable estimates from single-pass sites. A Bayesian approach is described for estimating the parameters of the hierarchical model using sampling importance resampling (SIR). An empirical Bayesian approach, which ignores prior uncertainty but is simpler to implement, is also described. Application of the hierarchical model is illustrated with electrofishing data for 0+ trout (Salmo trutta) in the River Inny, U.K.