A framework for integrated analysis in fisheries management

This paper presents a model in support of management decision making and planning in commerical fisheries. The purpose of the model is to facilitate integration of biological (e.g., stock assessment) and socioeconomic considerations for the review and evaluation of the quantitative impacts of alternative management strategies. The spreadsheet model shell allows ease of use and flexibility in exploring and evaluating interannuyal effects of change on the fish stock, or the viability of prosecuting gears, and the processing sector. The deterministic model is divided into linked modules that facilitate exploratory analysis. Linkages occur in a ‘top-down’ manner, whereby each stae of the analysis decomposes a macro view of the fishery over an annual long-term planning period down to a micro view of the stock or of individual operator performance on a monthly basis over a single season. Illustrative case studies, based on the 2J3KL Northern cod fishery and the 4WX herring fishery, demonstrate the flexibility of the model and its capability to develop and evaluate the integrated impact of management scenarios towards improved fisheries management.