Models for fisheries management

Abstract

Realization of the massive potential harvests from the oceans, coupled with disastrous collapses of substantial fisheries has seen the development over the last 25 years of a quantitative fisheries management science. As an aid to management, models are used to represent fish populations and the effects of exploitation on them. Basic models currently used for fisheries management are reviewed. The models discussed range from the simple surplus production model through to the analytical model of Beverton and Holt incorporating age structure and finally to Kicker's stock-recruitment model. The models are used to examine the dynamics and stability of fish stock when subjected to different exploitation policies. Some of the problems for management in interfacing real fisheries data with the mathematical models are discussed. The goals of management, including catch, fishing effort and economics (e.g. price, cost and inflation) are quantified to produce an objective function which may be used to determine optimal strategies. The optimal harvesting strategies are examined for each model, with a view to developing a general workable robust harvesting policy, independent of the model used.