A review of methods for assessing fish stocks in natural ecosystems

Moradi, Nasrin; Shabanloo, Hamed; Eagderi, Soheil

Volume 15, Issue 4 (Winter 2024) 3 2024, 15(4): 10-20 | Back to browse issues page

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Moradi N, Shabanloo H, Eagderi S. A review of methods for assessing fish stocks in natural ecosystems. 3 2024; 15 (4) :10-20
URL: http://jmb.ahvaz.iau.ir/article-1-1053-en.html

A review of methods for assessing fish stocks in natural ecosystems

Nasrin Moradi

, Hamed Shabanloo

, Soheil Eagderi

Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract: (801 Views)

The term “stock” refers to a group of individuals of the same species that coexist in a given place and time, have similar growth and mortality rates, and show independent responses to harvest. Fishery stock assessment is essential for sustainable fisheries management and can improve the fishing decisionmaking process by improving management plans. Types of stock assessment methods include: 1) Limited data-based methods (e.g.CPUE). 2) Biomass dynamics (surplus production) models. Such as the Schaefer model. 3) Age-structured models such as virtual population analysis (VPA) and statistical catch-at-age models. 4) Integrated and structured longitudinal models. 5) Bayesian and spatial mode methods. The choice of model is also based on data availability, species life history characteristics, and management questions. Data sources for fish stock assessments are also based on two main types of data: 1) catch-dependent data, such as data on catch weight and sometimes size distribution, and 2) catchindependent data, such as environmental DNA (eDNA). Based on the reviews, changes in three aspects of the process are needed to move the stock assessment process towards an operational and useful state. First, key data streams themselves need to be made more operational and useful so that relevant data are reliable and readily available. Second, stock assessment models need to be better able to incorporate diverse relevant data and comprehensively account for levels of uncertainty. Third, increasing the throughput of stock assessment updates requires streamlining the extensive review process currently required to ensure that stock assessment results can be used as a scientific basis for fisheries management.

Keywords: Stock assessment, sustainable fishing, length-based fishing, weight-based fishing, virtual population analysis.

Full-Text [PDF 1063 kb] (456 Downloads)

Type of Study: case report | Subject: Fisheries
Received: 2023/11/17 | Accepted: 2024/01/18 | Published: 2024/01/19