The Relation Between Effort and Yield in the Dungeness Crab Fishery

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Silverthorne, Wesley and Nelson E. Stewart

Publish Date: 1975

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Cedric Cooney

Job Position: Natural Resources Data and Systems Manager

Telephone: 503-947-6094

E-Mail Address: cedric.x.cooney@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Surplus yield models, mark-recapture data, and length-frequency data have been used to determine how the annual catch of Dungeness crab in Washington, Oregon, northern California, and central California will react as fishing effort varies. Yield curves were estimated for Washington and Oregon showing the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) at effort levels below levels which now exist in those fisheries. Analysis of effort and yield during peak harvest years in northern California indicates that the effort needed to harvest the MSY if all years were peak years is only slightly higher than recent levels of effort. No sustainable yield curve was obtained for the central California fishery because the crab population appears to have been in a steady decline for nearly two decades. We conclude that there has been and will probably continue to be more effort applied to crab fishing than is required to harvest the maximum sustainable yield. Whether or not it would be desirable to reduce effort levels will depend on economic and equity factors not yet considered.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content:

Geographic Extent: Washington, Oregon, and northern California

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: For State/Federal Dungeness Crab Management Program

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown