Application of the SEAPODYM model to swordfish in the Pacific Ocean

A SEAPODYM application to Pacific swordfish is developed. After definition of the population structure and initial parameterization, optimization experiments are conducted based on accessible fishing data (catch, effort and size frequency). Preliminary results are encouraging. Despite a lack of comprehensive fishing data, the model optimization experiments converged with reasonable estimated values of parameters defining the spawning and feeding habitat of the population at the Pacific basin scale, and provided a good fit between observed and predicted catch, and catch size. However, key parameters still remain unestimated and had to be set at fixed values, leading to very large uncertainty in biomass estimates. More progress could be quickly achieved if comprehensive fishing data were available at the scale of the Pacific Ocean. These data, including all available size frequency data, should be stratified by space, gear and target species. Compilation of such a comprehensive data set will require close collaboration between scientists across the Pacific and cooperation between WCPFC and IATTC. Melanie Abecassis, Patrick Lehodey, Inna Senina, Jeffrey Polovina, Beatriz Calmettes, Peter Williams. "Issued 9 August 2011." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 6-7). 2011 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1862