Estimation of fishing and natural mortality from tagging studies on fisheries with two user groups

Abstract

We present generalizations of fishery models that allow for the separate estimation of fishing mortality when more than one user group is present (e.g., a commercial and a recreational fishery). This model also allows for the fisheries to be in operation for any length of time whereas previously fisheries were generally considered to be pulse or continuous. Three cases are considered: (i) fisheries operate consecutively, (ii) fisheries overlap for a part of their seasons, and (iii) fisheries are in operation for the whole year. The results of a simulation study are included, which provide estimates of fishing and natural mortality along with their proportional standard errors (CVs). All scenarios had good precision, with most CVs < 25% and usually very little difference between the three cases. Coefficients of interaction, the potential gain by one fishery if another is closed down, are also given along with a method for calculating them. Factors affecting these coefficients of interaction were the order in which fisheries operated, amount of overlap in fishing seasons, and intensity of fishing effort by each fishery. We believe that these models could provide useful information for the management of fisheries with multiple user groups where allocation conflicts may arise.