Relative abundance of yellowfin tuna for the purse seine and handline fisheries operating in the Philippines Moro Gulf (Region 12) and High Seas Pocket #1

Port sampling data from the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) in Region 12 were used to estimate effort, catch, CPUE, standardized CPUE, and species composition from the purse seine fishery operating in the southern Philippines (Region 12, SOCCSKSARGEN) and High Seas Pocket #1 and the handline fishery operating in Region 12. A quarterly standardized CPUE index was produced for the purse seine (2005 to 2019) and handline (2004 to 2019) fishery for use in the 2020WCPFC yellowfin tuna assessment. Standardized CPUE was estimated using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and removing effects due to vessel and area (fishing ground). The current index predicted quarterly CPUE with a YR:QTR, Area (fishing ground) and Vessel effects. A combined YR:QTR effect was estimated to be consistent with other fishery CPUE standardization methods used in the assessment. There were 28 Area designations in the database; however, Area was relatively non-informative in the model as fishing trips were dominated by a few areas. 2020 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) PIFSC (Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) Submitted https://doi.org/10.25923/p0j9-3v54 Public Domain 1861