This analysis of the variations of brown tiger prawn (Penaeus esculentus)
catch in the Moreton Bay multispecies trawl fishery estimated catchability
using a delay difference model. It integrated several factors responsible for
variations in catchability: targeting of fishing effort, increasing fishing
power and changing availability. An analysis of covariance was used to define
fishing events targeted at brown tiger prawns. A general linear model estimated
inter-annual variations of fishing power. Temperature induced changes in prawn
behaviour played an important role in the dynamic of this fishery. Maximum
likelihood estimates of targeted catchability (3.92±0.40 10−4
boat-days−1) were twice as large as non-targeted catchability (1.91±0.24 10−4 boat-days−1). The causes of recent decline in fishing
effort in this fishery were discussed.Comment: revised manuscript following reviewers comments + adding data and
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