Sensitivity of the BEAM4 fisheries bioeconomic model to the main biological input parameters

Several runs of the BEAM4 model were carried out, combining several sets of input parameters from von Bertalanffy's growth curve (Lt = L-x[1 - e(-k(-t o))]) and the natural mortality (M), with sets or parameters from the lengt h-weight relationship (W=aL(b)). Further simulations were made with variati ons of +/- 20%, in the input parameters: recruitment (R), catchability coef ficient (q), and the lengths at which 50 and 75% of the fishes are retained by the net (L-50%, and L-75%). The data used were those of the pair trawl fisheries for "corvina" Micropogonias furnieri, off southeastern Brazil. Re sults showed variations in the output (landed weight) ranging from - 62 to 147% associated with the diverse sets of VBGF and LWR parameters, and lower variations associated with the other input parameters tested. (C) 2001 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.