Volume 66
The Influence of Uncertainty in Life History Parameters on the Estimation of Status Using Low-data Assessment Methods
Authors
Babcock, E., R. Coleman, M. Karnauskas, and J. Gibson Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2013
Pages: 77 78
Event: Proceedings of the Sixty six Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Corpus Christy
Country: USA
Abstract
Many methods for low-data assessment of fishery status require information on life history parameters such as longevity, size at maturity, asymptotic length and growth rate (Cope and Punt 2009, Ehrhardt and Ault 1992, Froese 2004). For reef fish in the Caribbean, these parameters may vary greatly between studies (Figure 1). Generally, when low-data methods are used, life history parameters are taken from the literature, although the reported values may be from locations far from the fishery being assessed. Even within the same country or region of the Caribbean, growth and other parameters may vary depending on habitat characteristics or level of exploitation. Also, correlations between parameters, such as growth rates and mortality rates, may not be considered. Uncertainty in life history parameters is therefore a major source of uncertainty in low-data assessment.