Applications of CEDA (catch effort data analysis) computer software in estimation of Maximum Sustainable Yieldof the Black Pomfret <i>Parastromateus niger</i>Fishery from Pakistani Waters

Abstract

The surplus production models of Fox, Schaefer and Pell-Tomlinson with three error assumptions of normal, log-normal and gamma were used to analyze the catch and effort data of Black Pomfret<i>Parastromateus niger</i> fishery from Pakistani waters using the computer software package CEDA (catch effort data analysis).When using initial proportion of 0.4 (because the initial catch was roughly 40% of the maximum catch) the estimated maximum sustainable yield (<i>MSY</i>) were about 2000-2300t, the coefficient determination<i>R²</i> were about 0.20-0.31. Gamma error assumption often showed minimization failure. The estimated <i>MSY</i> from CEDA is smaller than most recent catch of the fishery which indicates that the fishery of <i>P.niger</i> in Pakistani waters may not be in a sustainable condition.