Modelling and quantitative methods in fisheries (Q2724106)

The use of mathematical models in studying real life problems has gained increasing importance especially after computers have become accessible to many researchers. This book uses mathematical models and statistical tools in fisheries. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEIn the first chapter general comments on modeling are given. In the second one, some population models both simple and age structured are presented. Chapters three to seven introduce the statistical tools needed to fit theoretical models to real data. In chapter eight von Bertalanffy growth model and some of its generalizations are discussed together with fitting them to data. Chapters nine, ten and eleven discuss stock-recruitment models, surplus production models and age structured models, respectively, together with fitting these models to data. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThis book has several advantages e.g. using real life examples, fitting theoretical models to data and using the computer program ``Excel'' to solve the examples.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe reviewer has some criticisms: i) The absence of the book ``Bioeconomic modelling and fisheries management'' by \textit{C. W. Clark}, J. Wiley publishers, New York (1985) despite its relevance to the subject of the present book. ii) The absence of a discussion about optimal fishery strategy although this is an important question that is expected to be addressed by mathematical models of fishery. iii) The author states that one of the aims of the book is to be used as a foundation of a teaching course. If so then the book lacks problems and solutions which form an integral part of teaching courses. NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEConcluding, this is a good book for ecological modellers with strong statistical background.