A mark-recapture estimator of stock sizes from unrefined data applied to a stock of dover sole (Solea solea l.)

Abstract

A novel estimator of stock size from mark-recapture experiments is developed. Maximum likelihood estimators and their variances are derived assuming that catch is not known by age, relative recovery rates amongst different groups of collectors are different but constant over time within groups, catching effort is not known, and recruitment is either at an unknown rate proportional to the exploited stock size or else known relative to that in the first year. An example uses data from sole tagged in the Bristol Channel in 1959. The results indicate a stock size in 1960 substantially lower than previously estimated. © 1991 Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer.