Stock, recruitment and reference points

More than an additional contribution on Atlantic salmon, the present book collects the available knowledge about the ecology of Atlantic salmon and contemporary stock assessment methods supporting the specific task of establishing reference points. Stock and recruitment analysis receives special attention because it is a key concept in the definition of reference points. Bayesian approaches for incorporating uncertainty are front and centre in the book. Stock and recruitment analysis methods, transport of reference points, risk analysis and use of index measures of abundance are presented in a format which can be readily understood and applied by scientists, educators, professionals and undergraduate students. The majority of the analyses can be performed through commercial spreadsheet software. The book discusses the policy aspects of reference points, particularly in the context of uncertainties in deriving and applying reference points for resource management. With the presently available methods, there is no compelling argument against making progress in developing reference points for Atlantic salmon.