The estimated impact of changes to otolith field-sampling and ageing effort on stock assessment inputs, outputs, and catch advice

Abstract

Generating accurate data for stock assessments is resource-demanding, necessitating periodic evaluation of survey sampling designs and potential impacts on stock assessments. We developed a framework for bootstrapped resampling of survey age data and calculation of input sample sizes as a function of among-bootstrap variance in age compositions. Data from this bootstrap estimator were then used to evaluate the influence of alternative sampling rates and methods on uncertainty in estimates of the overfishing limit (OFL) calculated using stock assessment models. For dusky rockfish ( Sebastes variabilis) and Pacific ocean perch ( Sebastes alutus), a 10% decrease in the number of tows sampled upon led to a predicted 5%–6% increase in the CV of OFL (log–log slope = −0.576 to −0.486), which was greater than the 0%–2% increase from a 10% decrease in otoliths-per-tow (log–log slope = −0.238 to −0.029). Application of this approach across all stocks monitored in the survey of interest is required to identify which stocks ( i) benefit the most from increased sampling of ageing structures or ( ii) cost the least in terms of OFL uncertainty owing to reduced sampling.