Grouping of fishing locations using similarities in species composition for the Monterey Bay Area commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery, 1987-1992

Cluster analysis was evaluated as a classification technique to group fishing locations based onsimilarities in species catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data obtained through on board sampling. Catch data from the Monterey Bay area Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) hook-and-line fishery were used. The analysis was designed to define potential fishery management units, refine estimation of species CPUE, and evaluate fish length data for the most commonly caught species inthe CPFV fishery. Results produced similar location groups for two separate classifications of the more abundant species caught in the fishery, one based on midwater schooling species and a second based on benthic species. Location groups represented distinct contiguous geographic areas that appear to be strongly related to specific depth ranges and possibly other environmental variables. Thedifferences in species composition among location groupings were distinct but apparently gradual, with no sharp species assemblage boundaries that represented clear divisions between specific ecological communities. Many species appeared to be distributed independently along depth gradients. Suggestions are given to improve the techniques used in future grouping of fishing locations. (46pp.)

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sullivan, Cornelius M.
Format: monograph biblioteca
Language:English
Published: California Department of Fish and Game 1995
Subjects:Fisheries, Biology,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1834/18063
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