Use of binary and truncated negative binomial modelling in the analysis of recreational catch data

Abstract

Data from surveys of recreational anglers fishing on three estuaries in eastern Australia reveal highly skewed distributions of catches with many zeros. Such data may be analyzed using a two-component approach involving a binary (zero/non-zero catch) response and the conditionally distributed non-zero catches. A truncated negative binomial model was effective in analyzing the non-zero catches. Covariates were incorporated in the modelling, and their critical assessment has led to improved measures of fishing effort for this recreational fishery.