Rowan Haigh

Fisheries and Oceans Canada | DFO · Pacific Biological Station

As the oceans absorb anthropogenic CO2 they become more acidic, a problem termed ocean acidification (OA). Since this increase in CO2 is occurring rapidly, OA may have profound implications for marine ecosystems. In the temperate northeast Pacific, fisheries play key economic and cultural roles and provide significant employment, especially in rura...

Schnute, J. T. and Haigh, R. 2007. Compositional analysis of catch curve data, with an application to Sebastes maliger – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64. This paper applies modern compositional analysis to catch curve data from a quillback rockfish ( Sebastes maliger ) population in British Columbia, Canada. Bubble plots and ternary diagrams por...

Fisheries management often relies heavily on precautionary reference points estimated from complex statistical models. An alternative approach uses management strategies defined by mathematical algorithms that calculate controls, like catch quotas, directly from the observed data. We combine these two distinct paradigms into a common framework usin...

The microplankton community of an open coastal embayment in British Columbia (Barkley Sound) was typical of coastal waters of western North America, but different from that in more sheltered waters of British Columbia. The spring bloom occurred in May, 1 month later than is usual in the Strait of Georgia and 2 months later than in the coastal fjord...

Many temperate phytoplankton species considered harmful occur in the Sechelt Inlet system, Britsh Columbia, Canada. Some of the harmful species (Chaetoceros concavicornis, Nitzschia (Pseudonitzschia) pungens, and Dinophysis fortii) were predictable spatially and/or temporally on an annual basis. Other species (Alexandrium catenella and Heterosigma...

This report provides an update on how one can build ADMB 12.1 with a GNU compiler collection (gcc 9.2.0) on a Windows 64-bit operating system. The report also includes historical builds for ADMB 12.0 + gcc 5.1.0 and ADMB 11.1 + gcc 4.81.

Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus, POP) is a commercially important species of rockfish that inhabits the marine canyons along the coast of British Columbia. The status of POP in Queen Charlotte Sound, British Columbia, is assessed under the assumption that it is a single stock harvested entirely in Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission (PMFC) maj...

A new stock assessment is presented for the Outside population of Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) in British Columbia, Canada for 2014. This assessment considers a single Outside stock based on genetic analyses. A non-equilibrium, age-aggregated Bayesian surplus production (BSP) model was used in this assessment, employing catch data deriv...

Redbanded Rockfish (Sebastes babcocki) is found along the entire outer coast of British Columbia. It is caught by both the trawl and the hook-and-line commercial fisheries. The average annual commercial catch over the last 10 years (2004-2013) is 407 t, and over the last five years (2009-2013) is 342 t. Catches peaked at an estimated 1,360 t in 199...

The Technical Expertise in Stock Assessment (TESA) group of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) held a national workshop on ‘Incorporating an ecosystem approach into single-species stock assessments’, in Nanaimo from 21st to 25th November, 2016. The workshop was chaired by Andrew Edwards and Rowan Haigh from the Pacific Region and Ross Tallman from t...

A new stock assessment is presented for coastwide (Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission areas 3 and 5 combined) Shortspine Thornyhead (SST) based on a delay-difference production model fit to five fishery-independent surveys, a CPUE series derived from commercial catch rates, and an annual mean weight series derived from unsorted commercial catch sa...

Silvergray Rockfish (SGR) along the Pacific coast of Canada has been assessed at the request of the DFO Groundfish Management Unit (GMU) with respect to its status relative to provisional reference points established by the DFO Sustainable Fisheries Framework (SFF) (DFO 2009). These reference points are the upper stock reference point (USR) of 0.8B...

PBStools provides an R interface for algorithms commonly used in fisheries. The scope of this package is by no means comprehensive, having grown from the need to satisfy tasks specific to British Columbia (BC) ocean fisheries. Many of the functions provide a quick way to visualize data, and in some cases perform preliminary analyses. Though oriente...

The R package PBSddesolve generates numerical solutions for systems of delay differential equations (DDEs) and ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The numerical routines come from Simon Wood’s program solve95, originally written in C for the Microsoft Windows operating systems. With PBSddesolve, a user can write the gradient code for a system o...

Basic vignette for PBSddesolve. See the PBSddesolve User's Guide for detailed instructions.

Basic vignette for PBSmodelling. See the PBSmodelling User's Guide for detailed instructions.

Basic vignette for PBSmapping. See the PBSmapping User's Guide for detailed instructions.

Rock Sole (Lepidopsetta spp.) occur along the entire coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada, with abundance highest in Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound. The majority of Rock Sole catch is taken by the groundfish trawl fishery. Two species of Rock Sole occur in BC: Southern Rock Sole (L. bilineata) and Northern Rock Sole (L. polyxystra). Rock...

Arrowtooth Flounder (Atheresthes stomias) is a commercially important flatfish species in British Columbia, which occurs throughout the entire coast. It is caught primarily using bottom trawl gear, with a mean annual coastwide catch (landings + at-sea releases) of 8,532 t between 2010 and 2014. • All areas of Canada’s Pacific coast, excluding water...

This report describes a second version of software designed to facilitate the compilation and analysis of fishery data, particularly data referenced by spatial coordinates. Our research stems from experiences with information on Canada’s Pacific groundfish fisheries compiled at the Pacific Biological Station (PBS). Despite its origins in fishery da...

This report describes the R package PBSadmb, an R wrapper for the powerful software package ADMB (AD Model Builder, http://admb-project.org/) released into the public domain in 2009. The ADMB framework constitutes a remarkably efficient tool for estimating parameters and their uncertainty, based on complex nonlinear statistical models. Its effectiv...

The package PBSmapx, which is short-hand notation for PBS Map Explore, provides a convenient Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool for interacting with PBSmapping. The primary mapping function `createMap' presents a menu system for plotting topographical files as well as output from gridding and summary routines for geo-referenced data such as catch,...

Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus, POP) is a commercially important species of rockfish that inhabits the marine canyons along the coast of British Columbia. The status of POP off the north and west coasts of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, is assessed here under the assumption of a single stock harvested entirely in Pacific Marine Fisheries Comm...

Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus, POP) is a commercially important species of rockfish that inhabits the marine canyons along the coast of British Columbia. The status of POP off the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is assessed here under the assumption that it is a single stock harvested entirely in Pacific Marine Fisheries Co...

Background: On Unix systems, such as Ubuntu or Mac OS, the ADMB package uses native software for compiling source code and building libraries. Unfortunately, Windows computers lack the required tools, and users must obtain them from other sources. We have taken advantage of open source software to assemble toolkits that extend Windows (32-bit or 64...

This report describes the R package PBSmodelling, which contains software to facilitate the design, testing, and operation of computer models. The initials PBS refer to the Pacific Biological Station, a major fisheries laboratory on Canada’s Pacific coast in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Initially designed for fisheries scientists, this package has br...

Yellowmouth Rockfish along the Pacific coast of Canada has been designated as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), with commercial fishing being the primary threat. The purpose of this document is to be the Recovery Potential Assessment that formulates the scientific information concerning the curren...

Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus, POP) is a commercially important species of rockfish that inhabits the marine canyons along the coast of British Columbia. The status of POP in Queen Charlotte Sound, British Columbia, is assessed here under the assumption that it is a single stock harvested entirely in Pacific Marine Fisheries Commission (PMFC...

A new stock assessment is presented for the inside population of yelloweye rockfish(Sebastes ruberrimus) in British Columbia, Canada for 2010. A Bayesian state space surplus production (BSP) model is used due to the lack of sufficient age data for a fully age structured stock assessment. The model presented requires a time series of historical annu...

This technical report provides a detailed algorithm on how to reconstruct annual commercial catches of any Sebastes species for British Columbia during the years 1918 to the present. Reconstructed catches are used in population models as the primary source of mortality due to commercial fishing. The reconstruction presented here makes use of eight...

The status and trends of indicators of the condition of biodiversity of the northern coastal waters of British Columbia are reviewed. Among the notable results it is found that upper-ocean waters show warming and freshening trends, dissolved oxygen levels are decreasing, and dissolved CO2 levels are increasing in intermediate waters of the NE Pacif...

This document is intended for future developers of PBSmodelling and describes the internal data-structures and algorithms used to implement PBSmodelling’s GUI functionality. Users of PBSmodelling should consult “PBS Modelling 1: User’s Guide”.

We summarize the available information on darkblotched rockfish Sebastes crameri. Specifically, this paper reviews the current data on the biology, distribution, and abundance trends, primarily for citation by COSEWIC stock status reports. This species has a mean weight of 1.318 kg/fish, representing the samples from the observed commercial fishery...

We summarize the available information on yellowmouth rockfish Sebastes reedi. Specifically, this paper reviews the current data on the biology, distribution, and abundance trends, primarily for citation by COSEWIC stock status reports. This species has a mean weight of 1.467 kg/fish, representing the samples from the observed commercial fishery. G...

The groundfish trawl observer program, covering 100% of the offshore trawl fleet, has been active along the British Columbia coast since 1996. During this period, observers have recorded in excess of 190,000 fishing events comprising almost two million estimates of species catch. These observer data contain many fields of information, including cat...

Mathematics offers tools that can help us think systematically about the potential costs and benefits of a plan to implement marine reserves. Unfortunately, systematic thought can be badly flawed if it’s based on wrong assumptions. A mathematical model of a biological system represents only a version of reality stemming from the underlying assumpti...

This report describes the R package PBS Modelling, which contains software to facilitate the design, testing, and operation of computer models. The initials PBS refer to the Pacific Biological Station, a major fisheries laboratory on Canada’s Pacific coast in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Initially designed for fisheries scientists, this package has b...

We summarise the available information on a data-limited species, redbanded rockfish Sebastes babcocki. Specifically, this paper reviews the current data on the biology, distribution, and abundance trends. This species has a mean weight of 1.337 kg/fish. Allometric growth shows no difference between the sexes; however, mature females achieve a larg...

This paper reviews the current data on the biology, distribution, and abundance trends for longspine thornyhead Sebastolobus altivelis. The information contained herein is primarily for use in a COSEWIC status report on this species. It is not meant to be a comprehensive stock assessment. This species has a mean weight of 114 g/fish. Allometric gro...

This paper reviews the current data on the biology, distribution, and abundance trends for rougheye rockfish Sebastes aleutianus. The information contained herein is primarily for use in a COSEWIC status report on this species. It is not meant to be a comprehensive stock assessment. This species has a mean weight of 1.585 kg/fish. Allometric growth...

This report presents an analysis of the biomass survey conducted annually in 2001 2003 on the deep water population of longspine thornyheads off the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI). We examine the survey data in the context of a coastwide longspine fishery that began in 1996 and extended northward from WCVI into two northern regions, Tidemark...

This report describes a second version of software designed to facilitate the compilation and analysis of fishery data, particularly data referenced by spatial coordinates. Our research stems from experiences with information on Canada’s Pacific groundfish fisheries compiled at the Pacific Biological Station (PBS). Despite its origins in fishery da...

This working paper is prepared in response to a management request to provide a detailed outline of scientific monitoring and assessment programs required to improve the ability to assess the status of inshore rockfish populations and monitor changes in abundance. This working paper provides a brief background section on biology, fishery management...

This document summarizes the general methods and results from the 2003 groundfish bottom trawl survey in Queen Charlotte Sound and southern Hecate Strait. The survey conducted 239 useable tows in depths of 50-500 m from July 3-August 9 on board the F/V Viking Storm. The survey was jointly conducted and funded by the Canadian Research and Conservati...

This report describes software written to facilitate the compilation and analysis of fishery data, particularly data referenced by spatial coordinates. Our research stems from experiences with information on Canada?s Pacific groundfish fisheries compiled at the Pacific Biological Station (PBS). Despite its origins in fishery data analysis, our soft...

This paper explores the feasibility of a multispecies groundfish trawl survey along the British Columbia coast for stock assessment work. We investigate commercial trawl catches of species selected for (i) commercial value, (ii) bio-diversity concerns, (iii) spatial distributions, and (iv) suitability to trawl surveys. We identify stocks that meet...

This paper describes a convenient simulation model, based on the compound binomial-gamma distribution, to assist the planning and design of groundfish trawl surveys. The analysis uses swept-area density measurements from stratified tows to give a simple nonparametric biomass estimate. A parametric simulation model requires only three input paramete...

A fishery for thornyhead Sebastolobus spp. started in the early 1990s along the Pacific coast of Canada, primarily in response to market demand from Japan. As the fishery evolved, the deepwater longspine thornyhead S. altivelis became a desirable species because it is easily targeted and commands high prices. Its congener, shortspine thornyhead S....

This paper takes an initial look at the hook and line observer data and is exploratory. It provides several methodologies for calculating the total catch of IRF species by the hook and line fisheries: (i) the adjustment of landed IRF catch using observed discard rates, (ii) the prediction of total IRF catch from landed target catch, and (iii) the e...

Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus, commonly called POP) dominate the rockfish catch in Canada's Pacific groundfish trawl fishery. The species belongs to a larger community of slope rockfish species that inhabit the sloping walls of marine canyons along the coast of British Columbia. This report compiles the scientific data currently available fo...

The authors summarize biological information and analyse catch-age data for stocks of rock sole and English sole in Hecate Strait. Their analysis uses a state space catch-age model to reconstruct stock histories. Results indicate that recruitment and biomass of both species have declined over the last four years. In particular, recruitments in 1998...

This paper describes an analytical technique for estimating groundfish biomass from swept area density measurements. Conceptually, the idea is simple. Tows give estimates of biomass density. Bathymetry, locations of fish capture, and other sources of information give estimates of habitat area. Multiplying the density by the area gives an estimated...

A detailed compilation and analysis of the available data for longspine thornyheads (Sebastolobus altivelis) found in west coast Canadian waters is presented. This analysis was prompted by concerns over the rapid development of a new bottom trawl fishery directed at this species since 1996. An analysis of the available length frequency data from th...

This year's report does not provide a new assessment, but rather a series of steps essential for future assessments, based on industry-sponsored surveys for slope rockfish. Our research follows a strategic plan for collaborative work with the groundfish industry. The report presents the latest available data and makes the following major advancemen...

This report documents a climate database containing oceanographic and atmospheric information intended for use in fisheries stock assessments. The core data are supplied by the Institute of Ocean Sciences (lOS), where regularly updated text files are available on their network. We have also collected and incorporated additional climatological infor...

For assessment purposes, slope rockfish include seven species: Pacific ocean perch, yellowmouth rockfish, redstripe rockfish, rougheye rockfish, shortspine/longspine thornyheads, and shortraker rockfish. These are managed within six major areas (3C, 3D, 5AB, 5CD, 5ES, 5EN), giving a total of 42 species-area combinations. Historically, these 42 asse...

For assessment purposes, slope rockfish include Pacific ocean perch, redstripe rockfish, yellowmouth rockfish, rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and shortspine and longspine thornyheads. The best information pertains to the Goose Island Gully stock of Pacific Ocean perch. An age-structured analysis for this stock uses catch-age data available...

In 1986, commercial hook and line rockfish fishers were required to obtain a ZN category license, obligating them to keep logbook records. Currently, these records are coded and translated into electronic form by a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) contractor. The electronic records are then transferred to the Pacific Biological Station (PBS...

A major essay submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, University of British Columbia, April 1995. There has been much talk of sustainable development in recent years. The objective is to balance environmental, economic, and socia...

Essay by Rowan Haigh and Ian Marcus submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Business Administration in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, University of British Columbia, April 1995. In 1992 the British Columbian government enacted environmental regulations requiring pulp mills to reduce their effluent discharg...

Technical paper by Rowan Haigh while working towards a degree of Master of Business Administration in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, University of British Columbia, December 1994 Barkley Sound oceanographic data were used to develop regression models for plankton biomass. The independent variables included concomitant water m...

p. 53-59. In J.R. Forbes [ed.] Proceedings of the Fourth Canadian Workshop on Harmful Marine Algae In summary, the potential for problems associated with harmful phytoplankton appears to be greatest in the Loudon Channel - Toquart Bay region and least in Trevor Channel. This corresponds more to water depth in each area than to relative wind exposu...

Essay by Rowan Haigh while working towards a degree of Master of Business Administration in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration, University of British Columbia, December 1993. The world is currently on a development pathway which is not environmentally sustainable. Due to the overwhelming dominance of the rich, industrial nations (...

Blooms of the chloromonad flagellate Heterosigma, formerly referred to as H. akashiwo, occur on an annual basis in B.C. waters, particularly within the Strait of Georgia and in Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Although not inevitably associated with kills of farmed salmonids, there are usually some losses and certain years, e.g....

Species succession within the inlet was typical for temperate unpolluted waters despite aquaculture activity and nutrient-loading from the town of Sechelt at the southern end. The N:P ratio in the upper 21m of 8.3, well below the Redfield ratio of 16, suggests an N-limited system. The N:P ratio also coincides with the optimum ratio for Skeletonema...

The northern Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada, was sampled five times between March and September 1986, employing a grid of stations spanning the strait. The spring diatom bloom was not observed and may have been suppressed by a combination of wind exposure and grazing by microzooplankton, notably non-loricate oligotrichs and the dinofla...

See p. 53-59. In J.R. Forbes [ed.] Proceedings of the Fourth Canadian Workshop on Harmful Marine Algae. Abstract from Forbes, J.R. (ed.). 1991. Pacific coast research on toxic marine algae. Can. Tech. Rep. Hydrogr. Ocean Sci. 135: This report comprises the proceedings of the workshop on Pacific coast research on toxic marine algae, which was held...

Spatial and temporal distributions of Chaetoceros convolutum (including C. concavicorne), Heterosigma akashiwo, Protogonyaulax (= Alexandrium) catenella, and Dinophysis are presented for the northern Strait of Georgia from March to September, 1986. In spring C. convolutum was found on the slightly stratified eastern side in concentrations just belo...

Spatial and temporal distributions of Chaetoceros convolutum (including C. concavicorne), Heterosigma akashiwo, Protogonyaulax (= Alexandrium) catenella, and Dinophysis are presented for the northern Strait of Georgia from March to September, 1986. In spring C. convolutum was found on the slightly stratified eastern side in concentrations just belo...

Production studies were carried out in the Mackenzie River/Beaufort Sea estuary during the summer of 1986. Results indicate that there were two plankton communities. One was located near the river mouth and was characterized by high dissolved organic carbon, high bacterial activity and a community of amphipods. The second community was associated w...

The northern Strait of Georgia (NSG) and adjacent Malaspina Complex of inlets (MC) were studied to determine the effect of stratification on microplankton communities. The NSG was dominated by nanoflagellates in spring. There was no evidence of a vernal diatom bloom in the Strait, perhaps due to wind turbulence or microzooplankton grazing. In early...