From forager tracks to prey distributions: an application to tuna vessel monitoring systems (VMS)

Type Article
Date 2015-04
Language English
Author(s) Walker Emily1, 2, Rivoirard Jacques3, Gaspar Philippe4, Bez Nicolas1
Affiliation(s) 1 : IRD, UMR MARBEC, Ctr Rech Halieut Mediterraneenne & Trop, F-34203 Sete, France.
2 : INRA, BioSP, F-84914 Avignon 9, France.
3 : MINES ParisTech, Ctr Geosci, F-77305 Fontainebleau, France.
4 : CLS, F-31520 Ramonville St Agne, France.
Source Ecological Applications (1051-0761) (Wiley), 2015-04 , Vol. 25 , N. 3 , P. 826-833
DOI 10.1890/14-0193.1
WOS© Times Cited 5
Keyword(s) GPS, multivariate geostatistics, presence index, spatiotemporal distribution, trajectometry, tropical tuna, vessel monitoring system (VMS)
Abstract

In the open ocean, movements of migratory fish populations are typically surveyed using tagging methods that are subject to low sample sizes for archive tags, except for a few notable examples, and poor temporal resolution for conventional tags. Alternatively, one can infer patterns of movement of migratory fish by tracking movements of their predators, i.e., fishing vessels, whose navigational systems (e.g., GPS) provide accurate and frequent VMS (vessel monitoring system) records of movement in pursuit of prey. In this paper, we develop a state-space model that infers the foraging activities of fishing vessels from their tracks. Second, we link foraging activities to probabilities of tuna presence. Finally, using multivariate geostatistical interpolation (cokriging) we map the probability of tuna presence together with their estimation variances and produce a time series of indices of abundance. While the segmentation of the trajectories is validated by observers' data, the present VMS-index is compared to catch rate and proved to be useful for management perspectives. The approach reported in this manuscript extends beyond the case study considered. It can be applied to any foragers that engage in an attempt of capture when they see prey and for whom this attempt is linked to a tractable change in behavior.

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