Incorporating vertical distribution in index standardization accounts for spatiotemporal availability to acoustic and bottom trawl gear for semi-pelagic species

Abstract

Abundance indices from scientific surveys are key stock assessment inputs, but when the availability of fish varies in space and time, the estimated indices and associated uncertainties do not accurately reflect changes in population abundance. For example, indices for many semi-pelagic species rely on acoustic and bottom trawl gear that differ in water column coverage, and so spatiotemporal trends in fish vertical distribution affect the availability of fish to each gear type. The gears together cover the whole water column, and so in principle allow estimation of more accurate, combined indices of the whole population. Here, we extend previous methods and develop a vertically integrated index, which accounts for spatiotemporal correlation and works with data unbalanced spatially or unpaired from distinct surveys. Using eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) as an example, we identified clear spatial and temporal patterns in vertical distribution and gear availability from 2007 to 2018. Estimated acoustic annual vertical availability ranged from 0.339 to 0.888 among years, and from 0.588 to 0.911 for the bottom trawl survey. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for the spatiotemporal and vertical distribution of semi-pelagic fish to estimate more accurate indices, and provide important context for gear availability.