| The
current process of fisheries management typically involves decision-making
on a species-by-species basis with little consideration of interactions
between species, environmental effects, and habitat influences.
Over the past decade there has been increased interest in including
these other factors in stock assessments in order to provide information
to fisheries managers to improve management of related species.
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| For
instance, Atlantic menhaden provides
a food source for many important commercial and recreational fish,
including striped bass, weakfish, and bluefish. All of these fish
species are managed by the Commission, but decisions are based solely
on information on each separate species. The Commission has initiated
the development of two multispecies models to provide information
on the predator-prey relationships between these key species, as
well as the influence of environmental and habitat factors. |
Figure courtesy
of Lance Garrison,NOAA SEFSC
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Information provided by these models will include determination
of natural mortality of young-of-the year Atlantic menhaden caused
by predation, effects of water currents and temperature on fish
distribution patterns, and effects of habitat changes on fish abundance.
The Commission is also developing a long-term implementation plan
to provide guidance on how to use the results of these models in
single species management forums.
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