Optimal harvesting of a continuously age-structured population with density dependence

Abstract

We consider harvesting of a population with continuous age-structure and where density dependence is implemented through interaction of the population with a food source. Using a Von Bertalanffy length-age relation, the continuous age-structure is equivalent to a continuous length-structure. We allow the harvesting rate to be an arbitrary function of length. This allows for a comparison of harvesting strategies, including conventional harvesting and balanced harvesting. As a particular example, we consider plaice (Pleuronectes platessa, Pleuronectidae). The harvesting rate which gives the maximum sustainable yield is consistent with conventional harvesting: there exists a body size such that individuals smaller than that size are not harvested and individuals larger than that size are maximally harvested.