Date of Award
2021
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Statistics
Department
Computer Science and Statistics
First Advisor
Gavino Puggioni
Abstract
Fisheries management requires regularly assessing stock status and setting catch levels for the coming years. Although data-rich stock assessment models incorporating demographic and biological information are generally preferred, such approaches are often prohibited by either insufficient data or a history of poor performance. In such cases, simpler Index-Based Methods (IBMs) are often used to generate catch advice for a fishery. However, these approaches do not typically forecast future abundance levels or quantify scientific uncertainty, making it difficult to assess the performance of different candidate methods prior to implementation. As a result, there is not a consensus as to which IBMs may be best suited to a particular situation and available biological information is often under-utilized in the management process.
To address this shortcoming, this work developed a novel Index-Based Method framework using dynamic linear models (DLMs), a flexible Bayesian state-space approach. Using simulated population data mimicking member species of the Northeast Multispecies groundfish complex, the predictive performance of candidate DLM structures were evaluated via retrospective forecasting. In both an Index-Based (age-aggregated) and Age-Based formulation constructed to demonstrate how the modular nature of these models can make fuller use of available data, the tested DLMs displayed promising predictive ability. While further testing is needed, this preliminary evaluation suggests that DLMs may become a valuable approach in the management of fisheries for which a data-rich stock assessment approach is not possible.
Recommended Citation
Langan, Joseph A., "A BAYESIAN STATE-SPACE APPROACH TO IMPROVE BIOMASS PROJECTIONS FOR MANAGING NEW ENGLAND GROUNDFISH" (2021). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1971.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1971
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