The application of geostatistics in mapping and assessment of demersal resources. Nephrops norvegicus (L.) in the northwestern Mediterranean: A case study

Abstract

The application of geostatistics in mapping and assessing demersal resources is reviewed. The basic summary of the methodology is illustrated with a case study on data for Nephrops norvegicus off Barcelona (NE Spain) over commercial fishing grounds. The geostatistical analysis revealed that W. norvegicus is distributed over the continental slope in high-density patches of ∼ 7 km, alternating with areas of low density. Mapping by disjunctive kriging helped visualize the spatial distribution of the resource and identified areas where the resource abundance was of commercial level.