Using an Atlantis model of the southern Benguela to explore the response of ecosystem indicators for fisheries management

Authored by Elizabeth A Fulton, Michael D Smith, Robert W Day

Date Published: 2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.03.002

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Atlantis is a whole-of-system modelling framework developed for Management Strategy Evaluation. This paper describes an Atlantis model that was built to simulate the southern Benguela ecosystem and its major associated fisheries to assist fisheries management in the region. We divided the region into spatial zones based on hydrodynamics, current fishing management, and important ecosystem processes. We divided the biological components of the system into functional groups based on trophic interaction, life history traits and fisheries management objectives. We evaluated the model against historical data and known ecosystem interactions (such as competition and predation), and found that it simulates important ecological processes well at multiple trophic levels. We tested the model under fishing pressure scenarios and evaluated the performance of common ecosystem-level indicators. The response of the modelled system (as shown by indicators) was in line with expected behaviour of the indicators, reinforcing our confidence in the usefulness of the model. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

Regime shifts Individual-based model Sardine sardinops-sagax Small pelagic fish Marine ecosystems Anchovy engraulis-encrasicolus Long-term trends Cape fur-seal Hakes merluccius capensis Future consumption