A mark-recapture method using tissue genotyping for estimating the number of  narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (<em>Scomberomorus commerson</em>) — ASN Events
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  2. Fisheries management and assessment (3)
  3. A mark-recapture method using tissue genotyping for estimating the number of  narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)

A mark-recapture method using tissue genotyping for estimating the number of  narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) (#233)

Michael Macbeth 1 , Damien Broderick 2 , Rik C Buckworth 3 , Jennifer R Ovenden 4 , You-Gan Wang 1
  1. Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  2. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
  3. Wealth from Oceans, CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  4. Molecular Fisheries Laboratory, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Fine spatial scale capture rates of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) from the commercial fishery adjacent to Darwin (Northern Territory) were estimated in a mark-recapture  framework by genotyping tissue sampled non-invasively with a specially designed hook. Once struck, the hook tip contained a small sample of tissue that was genotyped and compared to genotypes of landed fish caught during the same fishing trip. This simultaneous mark-recapture design was used to estimate the average number of actively feeding fish encountered per fishing day. The mean was 281 fish, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 187 to 312 fish. The 95% confidence interval for the percentage of actively feeding fish caught ranged from 11% to 19%, with a mean of 17%. We propose that genetic sampling combined with random sampling of fishing transects may be useful in monitoring changes to abundance over time. 

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