Analytical models for fishery reference points

Abstract

Fishery reference points are widely applied in formulating harvest management policies. We supply precise mathematical definitions for several reference points in common use. We then derive analytical expressions for these quantities from age-structured population models. In particular, we explain how the maximum sustainable harvest rate and catch (h*, C*), two quantities of management importance, can replace the classical recruitment parameters ( alpha , beta ) in the Beverton-Holt and Ricker recruitment curves. We also demonstrate dependencies of various reference points on subsets of model parameters. Although our analysis is restricted to special cases, our models still have general utility. For example, simple calculations from analytical formulas enable checks on the output from more complex models and guide the choice of reference points for fishery management.