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

Sullivan, Cornelius M. (1995) Grouping of fishing locations using similarities in species composition for the Monterey Bay Area commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery, 1987-1992. Healdsburg, CA, California Department of Fish and Game, (California Department of Fish and Game Marine Resources Technical Report, 59)

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Abstract

Cluster analysis was evaluated as a classification technique to group fishing locations based on similarities 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 in the 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. The differences 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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