MSY Estimates of Cephalopod Fishery and Its Bioeconomic Implications in Pakistani Marine Waters

Abstract

In this study maximum sustainable yield of cephalopod fishery resource, 1999-2009, was estimated by employing surplus production models through CEDA and ASPIC computer packages. Obtained results show that this fishery resource is overexploited. CEDA software computed MSY in a range between 4,600-4,900 t (tons). On the other hand, ASPIC range for MSY estimation remained between 4,800-5,200 t for this fishery resource. It is vivid that MSY range computed by both the computer packages overlap each other. CEDA showed conservation in MSY estimation as compared to ASPIC. Moreover, ASPIC results showed higher R 2 values. Considering the MSY estimates, it is recommended that target reference point of MSY for cephalopod fishery resource in Pakistani marine waters should be around 4,900-5,000 t. Harvest of this fishery resource beyond 5,200 t should be considered as limiting reference point. Thus, concrete steps are directly needed to conserve this fishery resource for future.