A re-examination of underlying model assumptions and resulting abundance indices of the Fishery Independent Survey (FIS) in Australia’s SESSF

The model-based Fishery Independent Survey (FIS) for the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) was developed in 2008. However, the model requires refinement based on more recent and relevant data and to account for considerable changes that have occurred in the fishery over this time. Such changes include structural adjustment, and climate induced changes in fisheries and fish distribution. This project aims to 1. re-examine underlying assumptions of the survey; 2. update data that conditions the model; and 3. use data simulation to examine the utility of the estimates. Two additional objectives were also examined: 4. account for within-year variability to estimate FIS abundance indices; and 5. incorporate updated FIS abundance indices.