Including mark–recapture data into a spatial age-structured model: walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the eastern Bering Sea

Author： Miller Sara E. Ianelli James N. Quinn Terrance J.

Publisher： NRC Research Press

ISSN： 1205-7533

Source： Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Vol.68, Iss.9, 2011-09, pp. : 1625-1634

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Abstract

Integrated assessment models used to evaluate fish stocks are becoming increasingly complex, with some capable of incorporating spatial considerations. Such a model has been developed to estimate movement of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) between the northwestern and southeastern eastern Bering Sea. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of estimating movement using spatially disaggregated data supplemented by tagging data. Monte Carlo simulation was used to test accuracy and variability of parameter estimation in model scenarios with and without tagging information. Total biomass estimates for models with and without tagging data were unbiased, but uncertainty was smaller when tagging data were available. Uncertainty was also reduced in regional biomass and movement parameters when including tagging data. Our findings indicate that tagging information would be important to provide reliable spatially explicit fisheries management advice for eastern Bering Sea pollock.