An integrated simulation modeling and operations research approach to spatial management decision making

Worldwide declines in fishery yields emphasize the need for innovations in fishery management methods and models that encompass the complex dynamics of fish stocks and a broader range Of human impacts. To this end, we have developed a generalized analytical framework that builds upon and extends principles of traditional fishery management by utilizing methodologies from the fields of computer simulation modeling and operations research. To address the spatial dynamics of fishery resources and human uses, we built a new spatial population dynamics computer simulation model. Several operations research methods were also developed and integrated with the simulation model to provide a robust, quantitative framework for addressing a wide range of spatial management decisions in fisheries. We illustrate the power and applicability of our framework with three diverse case studies. The first case study explores how the use of varying numbers of marine reserves impacts coral reef fish productivity by integrating the population dynamics simulation model, a recursive clustering algorithm, and an integer program. The second case study integrates simulation model results into an analytical hierarchy process model to produce recommendations concerning configurations of alternative spatial management plans for the Dry Tortugas, Florida, USA. Finally, in the third case study the spatial model is adapted to simulate spatial dredging activities to assess the uses of alternate "environmental windows" that meet operational goals and protect fishery resources for use in dredging projects in United States coastal waterways.