Exploratory application of agent based modeling in Hawaii's longline fishery

This paper describes a prototype fishery management model of Hawaii's longline fishery developed using the agent-based modeling approach. The model simulates the daily fishing activities of 120 Hawaii longline vessels of diverse characteristics. Following the strategy of pattern oriented modeling (POM), we use the spatio-temporal distribution pattern of fishing efforts to calibrate the model. We then use the calibrated model to evaluate three alternative fishery regulatory policies in Hawaii's longline fishery: 1) no regulation; 2) annual cap of 17 turtle interactions; and 3) close the north central area year round, with respect to their impacts on fishing productivity and by-catch of protected sea turtle. The prototype model, constructed using 1999 data, appears to be able to capture the responses of the fishery to these alternative regulations reasonably well, suggesting its potential as a management tool for policy evaluation in Hawaii's longline fishery.

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