Modeling Approach for Fish Stock Assessment

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of fishery resource modeling and assessment is addressed in the scientific literature from two distinct perspectives: (1) as a process of analyzing the dynamics of an exploited population to determine its status or level of exploitation and (2) as an evaluation of the consequences resulting from implementing different management strategies. The second definition is more comprehensive, as it encompasses the first and explicitly connects the assessment process to its broader social purpose—providing scientific advice for the sustainable management of fishery resources. This linkage underscores the importance of integrating ecological understanding with practical decision-making to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems.

The modeling approach for fish stock assessment plays a pivotal role in promoting the sustainability of marine resources. By employing mathematical and statistical models, fisheries scientists can estimate critical parameters such as population size, growth rates, mortality, and reproduction, essential for predicting future stock dynamics. These models serve as a scientific foundation for identifying overfished species, establishing sustainable catch limits, and evaluating the effectiveness of various management strategies, such as fishing quotas or marine protected areas. Accurate stock assessments empower policymakers and fisheries managers to make informed decisions that balance ecological preservation with socio-economic needs, ensuring the productivity and resilience of marine ecosystems for future generations. Without robust modeling approaches, there is a heightened risk of overexploitation, potentially leading to the collapse of fish stocks and the degradation of marine biodiversity. Such outcomes would have profound implications for global food security, livelihoods, and the provision of vital ecosystem services, highlighting the indispensable role of modeling in sustainable fisheries management.

Original research on varied topics related to stock assessment modeling and fisheries management are welcome in this Special Issue, titled “Modeling Approach for Fish Stock Assessment”. These include the role of biological processes such as natural mortality, growth, and reproduction, as well as the influence of fishing activities such as selectivity, catch sampling, and discards, including the impact of discard survival rates and landing obligations. Topics also could include stock–recruitment relationships, calibrating assessment models through surveys and CPUEs, and comparative studies involving different methodologies, sensitivity analyses, or simulations. Additionally, we encourage discussions on assessment methods for both data-limited and data-rich stocks, mixed fisheries and spatial data modeling, and reference points and environmental status indicators. Contributions on management strategies, including catch control standards and technical measures, along with management strategy evaluation processes, are also of interest. Additional areas of focus include ecological aspects such as climate change effects on species distribution and life strategies, economic and social considerations, and spatial factors such as connectivity and stock structure.

Dr. Margarita M. Rincón Hidalgo
Dr. Heng Zhang
Guest Editors

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• fish
• stock assessment
• modeling