Publication Abstract

MAFF Directorate of FisheriesResearch, Lowestoft Virtual Population Analysis: version 3.0 (MSDOS/WINDOWS) User Guide

C. Darby and S. Flatman

The programs within theLowestoft VPA assessment suite have been designed for use in the analysis of fisheriespopulation data. Each method estimates fishing mortality and numbers at age in a stockusing data on international catches and natural mortality. The estimates can be 'tuned' tofleet catch data. Given the appropriate files, the program will calculate stock andspawning biomasses at the start of the year or spawning time.

This guide has been written as an aid to running theprogram. It provides summaries of the rationale underlying the techniques and of thealgorithms used. For more detailed information the user is directed to documentsreferenced at the end of the text.

At certain points within the text, guidance notes areincluded, these provide suggestions for handling data and the procedures, or describe datarelated problems which may arise during a run.

Reference:

C. Darby and S. Flatman,1993. MAFF Directorate of Fisheries Research, Lowestoft VirtualPopulation Analysis: version 3.0 (MSDOS/WINDOWS) User Guide, Science Council Studies,NAFO, 1993 (17): 57-82.