Fisheries Techniques

This book is designed as both a reference and a handbook for the study of fishes. It is a source of methods commonly used to research fish genetics, systematics, anatomy, physiology, developmental biology, toxicology, behavior, and ecology. Standard methods and their theoretical framework are presented for all these fields. Each of the book's 20 chapters also contains a background literature review which, though not exhaustive, allows readers to delve more deeply into subjects that particularly interest them. The main emphasis is on methodology, but the pros and cons of alternative procedures also are treated, as are the uses and misuses of data generated by the techniques.

In the sixteen years since the last edition of Von Brant’s classic work was published, fishing and fisheries have undergone vast changes. Not only has there been great progress in the development of new tools, materials and techniques, but the industry has seen an increasing need to address controversial issues such as declining fish stocks, enormous quantities of bycatch and discard and the impact of towed fishing gear on the environment. Fully revised and updated to reflect such changes, the fourth edition of this widely read and popular book offers: A unique, comprehensive survey of the evolution of fishing methods throughout the world Approximately 750 illustrations showing the extensive range of methods, techniques and equipment used in fishing across the globe Fishing gear classified according to the FAO system Additional chapters: Fishing Effects on Fish Stocks and Environment and Fishery and Gear Research All researchers, fisheries scientists, fisheries students, administrators and libraries in universities and research establishments where fish and fisheries are studied and taught will find this book a valuable addition to their shelves. Commercial and sports fishermen will also find Fish Catching Methods of the World a fascinating and vital reference.

Using R for Modelling and Quantitative Methods in Fisheries has evolved and been adapted from an earlier book by the same author and provides a detailed introduction to analytical methods commonly used by fishery scientists, ecologists, and advanced students using the open-source software R as a programming tool. Some knowledge of R is assumed, as this is a book about using R, but an introduction to the development and working of functions, and how one can explore the contents of R functions and packages, is provided. The example analyses proceed step-by-step using code listed in the book and from the book’s companion R package, MQMF, available from GitHub and the standard archive, CRAN. The examples are designed to be simple to modify so the reader can quickly adapt the methods described to use with their own data. A primary aim of the book is to be a useful resource to natural resource practitioners and students. Featured Chapters: Model Parameter Estimation provides a detailed explanation of the requirements and steps involved in fitting models to data, using R and, mainly, maximum likelihood methods. On Uncertainty uses R to implement bootstrapping, likelihood profiles, asymptotic errors, and Bayesian posteriors to characterize any uncertainty in an analysis. The use of the Monte Carlo Markov Chain methodology is examined in some detail. Surplus Production Models applies all the methods examined in the earlier parts of the book to conducting a stock assessment. This included fitting alternative models to the available data, characterizing the uncertainty in different ways, and projecting the optimum models forward in time as the basis for providing useful management advice.

Stock Identification Methods, 2e, continues to provide a comprehensive review of the various disciplines used to study the population structure of fishery resources. It represents the worldwide experience and perspectives of experts on each method, assembled through a working group of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The book is organized to foster interdisciplinary analyses and conclusions about stock structure, a crucial topic for fishery science and management. Technological advances have promoted the development of stock identification methods in many directions, resulting in a confusing variety of approaches. Based on central tenets of population biology and management needs, this valuable resource offers a unified framework for understanding stock structure by promoting an understanding of the relative merits and sensitivities of each approach. Describes 18 distinct approaches to stock identification grouped into sections on life history traits, environmental signals, genetic analyses, and applied marks Features experts' reviews of benchmark case studies, general protocols, and the strengths and weaknesses of each identification method Reviews statistical techniques for exploring stock patterns, testing for differences among putative stocks, stock discrimination, and stock composition analysis Focuses on the challenges of interpreting data and managing mixed-stock fisheries

Managing Small-Scale Fisheries: Alternative directions and methods

A How-To Guide for Conducting Common Fisheries-Related Analyses in R Introductory Fisheries Analyses with R provides detailed instructions on performing basic fisheries stock assessment analyses in the R environment. Accessible to practicing fisheries scientists as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students, the book demonstrates the flexibility and power of R, offers insight into the reproducibility of script-based analyses, and shows how the use of R leads to more efficient and productive work in fisheries science. The first three chapters present a minimal introduction to the R environment that builds a foundation for the fisheries-specific analyses in the remainder of the book. These chapters help you become familiar with R for basic fisheries analyses and graphics. Subsequent chapters focus on methods to analyze age comparisons, age-length keys, size structure, weight-length relationships, condition, abundance (from capture-recapture and depletion data), mortality rates, individual growth, and the stock-recruit relationship. The fundamental statistical methods of linear regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and nonlinear regression are demonstrated within the contexts of these common fisheries analyses. For each analysis, the author completely explains the R functions and provides sufficient background information so that you can confidently implement each method. Web Resource The author’s website at http://derekogle.com/IFAR/ includes the data files and R code for each chapter, enabling you to reproduce the results in the book as well as create your own scripts. The site also offers supplemental code for more advanced analyses and practice exercises for every chapter.