Optimal in-season management of pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ) given uncertain run sizes and seasonal changes in economic value

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Su, Zhenming, Adkison, Milo D
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2002
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Oncorhynchus gorbuscha; Pink salmon; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f02-133; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f02-133

In this study, we developed a stochastic simulation model that simulates the in-season abundance dynamics of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) stocks, the fleet dynamics, and management of purse seine fisheries in the northern Southeast Alaska inside waters. Uncertainties in annual stock size and run timing, fleet dynamics, and both preseason and in-season forecasts were accounted for explicitly in this simulation. The simulation model was applied to evaluating four kinds of management strategies with different fishing opening schedules and decision rules. The ranking of the management strategies is apparently determined by the evaluation criteria applied. When only flesh quality is concerned, both the current and a more aggressive strategy, as long as they adapted themselves to the run strength, were able to provide higher quality fish without compromising the escapement objectives. When the value of the eggs is also a concern, the management strategies that have more intensive late opening schedules might be preferable. When both flesh quality and the value of eggs are considered, the ranking of the management strategies depends on the timing of the stocks.