Evaluation of three harvest control rules for Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) fisheries in the Indian Ocean

The stock of Bigeye tuna(Thunnus obesus) in the Indian Ocean supports an important international fishery and is considered to be fully exploited. The responsible management agency, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission(IOTC), does not have an explicit management decision-making framework in place to prevent over-fishing. In this study, we evaluated three harvest control rules, i) constant fishing mortality(CF), from 0.2 to 0.6, ii) constant catch(CC), from 60000 to 140000 t, and iii) constant escapement(CE), from 0.3 to 0.7. The population dynamics simulated by the operating model was based on the most recent stock assessment using Stock Synthesis version Ⅲ(SS3). Three simulation scenarios(low, medium and high productivity) were designed to cover possible uncertainty in the stock assessment and biological parameters. Performances of three harvest control rules were compared on the basis of three management objectives(over 3, 10 and 25 years): i) the probability of maintaining spawning stock biomass above a level that can sustain maximum sustainable yield(MSY) on average, ii) the probability of achieving average catches between 0.8 MSY and 1.0 MSY, and iii) inter-annual variability in catches. The constant escapement strategy(CE=0.5), constant fishing mortality strategy(F=0.4) and constant catch(CC=80000) were the most rational among the respective management scenarios. It is concluded that the short-term annual catch is suggested at 80000 t, and the potential total allowable catch for a stable yield could be set at 120000 t once the stock had recovered successfully. All the strategies considered in this study to achieve a ‘tolerable' balance between resource conservation and utilization have been based around the management objectives of the IOTC.     

南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场预报模型研究

长鳍金枪鱼资源是南太平洋金枪鱼渔业的重要目标种类,也是我国金枪鱼延绳钓的主要捕捞对象之一。根据2008-2009年我国海洋渔业公司在南太平洋海域的生产数据,结合表层、105 m和205 m水层温度,以及海面高度、叶绿素a浓度等海洋环境数据,运用一元非线性回归方法,按季度建立基于各环境因子的长鳍金枪鱼栖息地适应性指数,采用算术平均法获得基于多环境因子的栖息地指数综合模型,并用于中心渔场的预报。通过与实际作业渔场的比较与验证,结果表明:模型预报准确性达到70%以上,具较高渔情预报准确度。     

南沙北部灯光罩网与金枪鱼延绳钓联合探捕

2010年7月利用灯光罩网和延绳钓对南沙北部海域进行了初步的渔业资源调查,报道了该海域的鸢乌贼(Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis)和金枪鱼的渔获与分布状况。灯光罩网平均CPUE 63.90 kg/网,主要渔获物为鸢乌贼,占总产量的67.57%,平均胴长122 mm,质量89.6 g;延绳钓平均CPUE为18.19 kg/百钩,其中大目金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)3.24 kg/百钩、短鳍斜齿鲨(Scoliodon Palasorrah)10.46 kg/百钩,渔获尾数较多的为帆蜥鱼(Alepisaurus ferox)和黑魟(Dasyatis atratus),分别占总数的39.13%和26.09%。提出南沙金枪鱼捕捞采用延绳钓与灯光罩网联合方式的建议。     

Assessment of South Pacific Albacore Stock （Thunnus alalunga ） by Improved Schaefer Model

Based on catch and effort data of tuna longline fishery operating in the South Pacific Ocean, the South Pacific al-bacore stock was assessed by an improved Schaefer model. The results revealed that the intrinsic growth rate was about 1.28374 and carrying capacities vareied in the range from 73734 to 266732 metric tons. The growth ability of this species is remarkable. Stock dynamics mainly depends on environmental conditions. The stock is still in good condition. However, the continuous decreasing of biomass in recent years should be noticed.     

The Potential Vertical Distribution of Bigeye Tuna ( Thunnus obesus ) and Its Influence on the Spatial Distribution of CPUEs in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean

Understanding the potential vertical distribution of bigeye tuna(Thunnus obesus) is necessary to understand the catch rate fluctuations and the stock assessment of bigeye tuna. To characterize the potential vertical distribution of this fish while foraging and determine the influences of the distribution on longline efficiency in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, the catch per unit effort(CPUE) data were compiled from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and the Argo buoy data were downloaded from the Argo data center. The raw Argo buoy data were processed by data mining methods. The CPUE was standardized by support vector machine before analysis. We assumed the depths with the upper and lower limits of the optimum water temperatures of 15℃ and 9℃ as the preferred swimming depth, while the lower limit of the temperature(12℃) associated with the highest hooking rate as the preferred foraging depth(D12) of bigeye tuna during the daytime in the Atlantic Ocean. The preferred swimming depth and foraging depth range in the daytime were assessed by plotting the isobath based on Argo buoy data. The preferred swimming depth and vertical structure of the water column were identified to investigate the spatial effects on the CPUE by using a generalized additive model(GAM). The empirical cumulative distribution function was used to assess the relationship between the spatial distribution of CPUE and the depth of 12℃ isolines and thermocline. The results indicate that 1) the preferred swimming depth of bigeye tuna in the tropical Atlantic is from 100 m to 400 m and displays spatial variation; 2) the preferred foraging depth of bigeye tuna is between 190 and 300 m and below the thermocline; 3) the number of CPUEs peaks at a relative depth of 30 –50 m(difference between the 12℃ isolines and the lower boundary of the thermocline); and 4) most CPUEs are within the lower depth boundary of the thermocline levels(LDBT) which is from 160 m to 230 m. GAM analysis indicates that the general relationship between the nominal CPUE and LDBT is characterized by a dome shape and peaks at approximately 190 m. The oceanographic features influence the habitat of tropical pelagic fish and fisheries. Argo buoy data can be an important tool to describe the habitat of oceanic fish. Our results provide new insights into how oceanographic features influence the habitat of tropical pelagic fish and fisheries and how fisheries exploit these fish using a new tool(Argo profile data).     

A continuous time delay-difference type model(CTDDM) applied to stock assessment of the southern Atlantic albacore Thunnus alalunga

A continuous time delay-difference model(CTDDM) has been established that considers continuous time delays of biological processes.The southern Atlantic albacore(Thunnus alalunga) stock is the one of the commercially important tuna population in the marine world.The age structured production model(ASPM) and the surplus production model(SPM) have already been used to assess the albacore stock.However,the ASPM requires detailed biological information and the SPM lacks the biological realism.In this study,we focus on applying a CTDDM to the southern Atlantic albacore(T.alalunga) species,which provides an alternative method to assess this fishery.It is the first time that CTDDM has been provided for assessing the Atlantic albacore(T.alalunga) fishery.CTDDM obtained the 80%confidence interval of MSY(maximum sustainable yield) of(21 510 t,23 118 t).The catch in 2011(24 100 t) is higher than the MSY values and the relative fishing mortality ratio(F_(2011)/F_(MSY)) is higher than 1.0.The results of CTDDM were analyzed to verify the proposed methodology and provide reference information for the sustainable management of the southern Atlantic albacore stock.The CTDDM treats the recruitment,the growth,and the mortality rates as all varying continuously over time and fills gaps between ASPM and SPM in this stock assessment.     

A continuous time delay-difference type model (CTDDM) applied to stock assessment of the southern Atlantic albacore <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus alalunga</Emphasis>

A continuous time delay-diff erence model (CTDDM) has been established that considers continuous time delays of biological processes. The southern Atlantic albacore (Thunnus alalunga) stock is the one of the commercially important tuna population in the marine world. The age structured production model (ASPM) and the surplus production model (SPM) have already been used to assess the albacore stock. However, the ASPM requires detailed biological information and the SPM lacks the biological realism. In this study, we focus on applying a CTDDM to the southern Atlantic albacore (T. alalunga) species, which provides an alternative method to assess this fishery. It is the first time that CTDDM has been provided for assessing the Atlantic albacore (T. alalunga) fishery. CTDDM obtained the 80% confidence interval of MSY (maximum sustainable yield) of (21 510 t, 23 118t). The catch in 2011 (24 100 t) is higher than the MSY values and the relative fishing mortality ratio (F ₂₀₁₁/F _MSY) is higher than 1.0. The results of CTDDM were analyzed to verify the proposed methodology and provide reference information for the sustainable management of the southern Atlantic albacore stock. The CTDDM treats the recruitment, the growth, and the mortality rates as all varying continuously over time and fills gaps between ASPM and SPM in this stock assessment.     

无囊围网缩结系数研究

通过对缩结系数与网衣用量、下纲沉降速度的关系之分析，结合我国围网生产实际，提出了围网主网衣上、下边缘水平缩结系数的合理参考范围及其选取方法；通过对我国围网缩结系数统计资料的综合分析，提出了上缘网衣、下缘网衣、网头网衣或侧缘网衣的水平缩结系数等的选取参考范围。     

The relationship between fat content and biological parameters of bigeye tuna (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus obseus</Emphasis>) in the Western Central Indian Ocean

Comparing fat content with physiological status can throw light on the reproduction and feeding behavior of the fish. The biological data of 586 bigeye tuna were collected from the longline fishery in the waters of Western Central Indian Ocean from November, 2012 to March, 2013. The spatial or temporal distribution of the fat content, and the relationships of fat content with gender, round weight, gonadal maturity and fork length were analyzed. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to analyze the relationships between fat content and fork length (FL), gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (K), and somatic index (SI). Results showed that: 1) the fat content of bigeye tuna was in the range of 3.1%–27.1% with the average 12.8%; 2) there were no significant geographical differences of average fat content (P > 0.05) among 1° squares in general; 3) there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) of the fat content for different genders, months, or gonad maturity stages; 4) there was an extremely significant correlation (P = 0.000) between fat content and FL and GSI. There was no significant correlation (P = 0.051) between fat content and K. There was a significant correlation (P = 0.003) between fat content and SI. The results of this study suggest that the fat content of the matured fish was relatively stable. The survey area was in a spawning region, and the survey period was the spawning season for bigeye tuna.     

基于遥感水质的夏季东海鲐鱼渔情预报研究

根据2007~2009年7~9月渔汛期间我国鲐鱼灯光围网在东海的生产数据,利用海表温、叶绿素浓度、悬浮物浓度和透明度等遥感水质数据,分别将作业网次比例和单网次产量(CPUE)作为适应性指数,利用算术平均数(AM)和几何平均数(GM)分别建立基于海表温、叶绿素浓度、悬浮物浓度和透明度的综合栖息地指数模型。结果表明,AM栖息地指数模型和GM栖息地指数模型拟合效果较好(P<0.01),在HSI大于0.5的海域,2007~2009年7~9月平均作业网次比例在65%以上,各月平均CPUE均高于19.82 t/net。研究认为,AM模型稍优于GM模型。利用2010年7~9月生产数据及遥感水质数据对AM模型进行验证,分析认为,87%以上的作业网次和产量分布在HSI高于0.5的海域,CPUE为14~17 t/net,且较稳定,波动较小。研究认为,基于遥感水质数据的AM栖息地指数模型能较好地预测东海鲐鱼渔场。     

Changes in Natural Mortality of Atlantic Cod(Gadus morhua) on Eastern Georges Bank

The assessment of Eastern Georges Bank cod with the assumption of a constant natural mortality of 0.2 has over-estimated stock productivity, resulting in a severe retrospective pattern since the late 2000 s. Comparing relative exploitation rate(ratio of fishery catch at age to survey abundance indices at age) with total mortality calculated from the age distribution in surveys indicated a conflict when constant natural mortality was assumed. This inconsistency implies an increase in natural mortality since the mid-1990 s. In this paper, natural mortality estimated by Virtual Population Analysis(VPA) indicated that natural mortality for this stock has increased to 0.8 since the mid-1990 s for ages 6+. Potential factors contributing to this elevated natural mortality, including poor fish conditions and increased losses due to seal predation were discussed.     

Changes in natural mortality of Atlantic cod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus morhua</Emphasis>) on Eastern Georges Bank

The assessment of Eastern Georges Bank cod with the assumption of a constant natural mortality of 0.2 has over-estimated stock productivity, resulting in a severe retrospective pattern since the late 2000s. Comparing relative exploitation rate (ratio of fishery catch at age to survey abundance indices at age) with total mortality calculated from the age distribution in surveys indicated a conflict when constant natural mortality was assumed. This inconsistency implies an increase in natural mortality since the mid-1990s. In this paper, natural mortality estimated by Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) indicated that natural mortality for this stock has increased to 0.8 since the mid-1990s for ages 6+. Potential factors contributing to this elevated natural mortality, including poor fish conditions and increased losses due to seal predation were discussed.     

Natural mortality estimation and rational exploitation of purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the southern South China Sea

Based on the biological data of purpleback flying squid(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)collected by light falling-net in the southern South China Sea(SCS) during September to October 2012 and March to April 2013,growth and mortality of 'Medium' and 'Dwarf' forms of squid are derived using the Powell-Wetherall,ELEFAN methods and length-converted catch curves(FiSAT package).Given a lack of commercial exploitation,we assume total mortality to be due entirely to natural mortality.We estimate these squid have fast growth,with growth coefficients(k) ranging from 1.42 to 2.39,and high natural mortality(M),with estimates ranging from 1.61 to 2.92.To sustainably exploit these squid stocks,yield per recruitment based on growth and natural mortality was determined using the Beverton-Holt dynamic pool model.We demonstrate squid stocks could sustain high fishing mortality and low ages at first capture,with an optimal fishing mortality 3.0,with the optimal age at first capture increased to 0.4-0.6 years when fishing mortality approached optimal levels.On the basis of our analyses and estimates of stock biomass,we believe considerable potential exists to expand the squid fishery into the open SCS,relieving fishing pressure on coastal waters.     

Analyses of Trawling Track and Fishing Activity Based on the Data of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)：A Case Study of the Single Otter Trawl Vessels in the Zhoushan Fishing Ground

The original purpose of Vessel Monitoring System(VMS) is for enforcement and control of vessel sailing. With the application of VMS in fishing vessels, more and more population dynamic studies have used VMS data to improve the accuracy of fisheries stock assessment. In this paper, we simulated the trawl trajectory under different time intervals using the cubic Hermite spline(c Hs) interpolation method based on the VMS data of 8 single otter trawl vessels(totally 36000 data items) fishing in Zhoushan fishing ground from September 2012 to December 2012, and selected the appropriate time interval. We then determined vessels’ activities(fishing or non-fishing) by comparing VMS speed data with the corresponding speeds from logbooks. The results showed that the error of simulated trajectory greatly increased with the increase of time intervals of VMS data when they were longer than 30 minutes. Comparing the speeds from VMS with those from the corresponding logbooks, we found that the vessels’ speeds were between 2.5 kn and 5.0 kn in fishing. The c Hs interpolation method is a new choice for improving the accuracy of estimation of sailing trajectory, and the VMS can be used to determine the vessels’ activities with the analysis of their trajectories and speeds. Therefore, when the fishery information is limited, VMS can be one of the important data sources for fisheries stock assessment, and more attention should be paid to its construction and application to fisheries stock assessment and management.     

多变量分位数回归构建印度洋大眼金枪鱼栖息地指数

以0～300m水层加权平均水温、50～150m水层的温差和氧差及其交互变量为影响因子,运用分位数回归法,寻找出环境变量与大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)延绳钓钓获率的最佳上界分位数回归方程,计算出栖息地指数(HSI),并应用地理信息系统(GIS)软件绘制各月HSI空间分布图。研究表明:大眼金枪鱼延绳钓钓获率(HR)依加权平均水温(x)、温差(y)、氧差(z)与的最佳上界分位数回归方程为HR0.70=-15.596+2.124x-0.003x3+0.033xyz-0.036y2z+0.107yz2-0.337z3;HSI空间分布为:16°S—10°N印度洋海域HSI高于0.7,HSI>0.8的海域随季节发生显著变化,马达加斯加外海至100°E、16°S—26°S海域常年存在一片HSI<0.4的区域,26°S—40°S海域的HSI介于0.4～0.5,40°S以南海域HSI<0.4,东非外海季节性地出现一片HSI<0.6的海域。利用多个环境变量的栖息地指数模型来预测分析大洋金枪鱼资源分布效果较好。     

Impacts of distorted fishery statistical data on assessments of three surplus production models

We evaluated the effect of various error sources in fishery harvest/effort data on the maximum sustainable yield(MSY) and corresponding fishing effort(EMSY) using Monte Carlo simulation analyses.A high coefficient of variation(CV) of the catch and effort values biased the estimates of MSY and EMSY.Thus,the state of the fisheries resource and its exploitation was overestimated.We compared the effect using three surplus production models,Hilborn-Waters(H-W),Schnute,and Prager models.The estimates generated us...     

Estimating time-based instantaneous total mortality rate based on the age-structured abundance index

The instantaneous total mortality rate(Z) of a fish population is one of the important parameters in fisheries stock assessment. The estimation of Z is crucial to fish population dynamics analysis,abundance and catch forecast,and fisheries management. A catch curve-based method for estimating time-based Z and its change trend from catch per unit effort(CPUE) data of multiple cohorts is developed. Unlike the traditional catch-curve method,the method developed here does not need the assumption of constant Z throughout the time,but the Z values in n continuous years are assumed constant,and then the Z values in different n continuous years are estimated using the age-based CPUE data within these years. The results of the simulation analyses show that the trends of the estimated time-based Z are consistent with the trends of the true Z,and the estimated rates of change from this approach are close to the true change rates(the relative differences between the change rates of the estimated Z and the true Z are smaller than 10%). Variations of both Z and recruitment can affect the estimates of Z value and the trend of Z. The most appropriate value of n can be different given the effects of different factors. Therefore,the appropriate value of n for different fisheries should be determined through a simulation analysis as we demonstrated in this study. Further analyses suggested that selectivity and age estimation are also two factors that can affect the estimated Z values if there is error in either of them,but the estimated change rates of Z are still close to the true change rates. We also applied this approach to the Atlantic cod(G adus morhua) fishery of eastern Newfoundland and Labrador from 1983 to 1997,and obtained reasonable estimates of time-based Z.     

基于渔船AIS数据的南海北部海洋渔业捕捞强度空间特征挖掘

高精度渔业捕捞强度数据是开展捕捞限额管理的前提与关键,也是海洋渔业资源可持续发展的重要保障.因此,本文以挖掘海洋渔业捕捞强度空间特征为出发点,选用2018年2、4、9和11月典型季节的中国籍6364艘渔船1.8亿条高时空粒度AIS数据.运用专家知识经验、空间统计及数据挖掘分析方法,以广西南岸北部湾渔场、广东沿岸和环海南...     

水温变动对2009年西北太平洋柔鱼产量下降的影响

分布在西北太平洋的柔鱼是我国远洋鱿钓渔业的重要捕捞对象,近些年来其产量一直处在稳定的水平。然而,2009年8～10月旺汛期间在传统作业渔场(150°E～165°E、38°E～46°E)柔鱼产量出现大幅度下降,其日产量仅为正常年份的一半。为此,根据2007～2009年8～10月我国在西北太平洋鱿钓生产数据,以及产卵场表层水温,探讨2009年柔鱼产量下降及渔场变动的原因。研究表明,其产量出现下降的原因可能有2个:(1)柔鱼产卵场(20°N～30°N,130°E～170°E)黑潮大弯曲的发生,使得21℃等温线向南偏移,使得柔鱼资源补充量受到影响,从而使得渔汛期间柔鱼产量的下降;(2)旺汛期间(8～9月)传统作业渔场(42°N～46°N,150°E～165°E)的100m水层有一个明显冷水南下,分布位置为154°E～156°E,将传统作业渔场(150E～165°E)一分为二,向南的前锋(水温低于5℃)到达42°N,明显不同于正常年份,使得作业渔场的范围明显缩小,不适合柔鱼的集群,导致产量出现大幅下降。     

Trophic interactions, ecosystem structure and function in the southern Yellow Sea

The southern Yellow Sea is an important fishing ground, providing abundant fishery resources. However, overfishing and climate change have caused a decline in the resource and damaged the ecosystem. We developed an ecosystem model to analyze the trophic interactions and ecosystem structure and function to guide sustainable development of the ecosystem. A trophic mass-balance model of the southern Yellow Sea during 2000–2001 was constructed using Ecopath with Ecosim software. We defined 22 important functional groups and studied their diet composition. The trophic levels of fish, shrimp, crabs, and cephalopods were between 2.78 and 4.39, and the mean trophic level of the fisheries was 3.24. The trophic flows within the food web occurred primarily in the lower trophic levels. The mean trophic transfer efficiency was 8.1%, of which 7.1% was from primary producers and 9.3% was from detritus within the ecosystem. The transfer efficiency between trophic levels II to III to IV to V to >V was 5.0%, 5.7%, 18.5%, and 19.7%–20.4%, respectively. Of the total flow, phytoplankton contributed 61% and detritus contributed 39%. Fishing is defined as a top predator within the ecosystem, and has a negative impact on most commercial species. Moreover, the ecosystem had a high gross efficiency of the fishery and a high value of primary production required to sustain the fishery. Together, our data suggest there is high fishing pressure in the southern Yellow Sea. Based on analysis of Odum’s ecological parameters, this ecosystem was at an immature stage. Our results provide some insights into the structure and development of this ecosystem.