Comparison Habitat Suitability Index Model of Illex argentinus and Its Application into Fishing Ground Forecasting

Abstract:

According to the catch data of I. argentinus from Chinese squid jigging fishery in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean from January to May of 2003−2007 and the combination of sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height (SSH), fishing times-based Suitability Index (SI) Models were estimated by using the method of Data Envelopment Analysis. Using Arithmetic Mean Model (AMM) and Geometric Mean Model (GMM), the integrated habitat suitability index (HSI) was established based on SST and SSH. HSI values were compared with the actual catch and fishing times from January to May of 2003−2007. The results showed that both AMM and GMM were fitted well. When HSI is more than 0.6, AMM results indicated that the percentage of catch and fishing effort were 86.75% and 89.82% respectively, and GMM results revealed that the percentage of catch and fishing times were 84.30% and 85.80% respectively. AMM was slightly better than GMM to analyze the actual fishing data from 2003−2007. The HSI value in 2008 by AMM was further verified by the catch data. When HSI is bigger than 0.6, the percentage of catch and fishing times reached 64% and 68% respectively. Thus, AMM-based HSI model can be used to predict the real-time dynamic fishing ground of I. argentinus in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, which would provide scientific guidance for its efficient exploitation.