The size-structured (length-based) stock assessment methodology applied to west coast rock lobster

Abstract

The model of the west coast rock lobster dynamics is described by a size-structured model which operates at a 1mm interval scale, from l = 1mm to l = lmax, where l refers to the carapace length (which for brevity will also be referred to as “size”) in mm. The largest size class in the model, lmax, is equal to 200mm. Male and female lobsters are modelled separately, with m referring to males and f referring to females. In this report, the superscript s refers to either the male or female sex, where the two sexes are treated separately but similarly. Although the fishing season starts towards the end of year t and runs into year t+1, it is denoted as season t (unless otherwise specified). Where data are collected and represented in 5mm size class intervals, the size class x refers to lobsters of sizes x, x+1, x+2 …x+4 mm.