title: Population dynamics of exploited fish stocks at low population levels.
abstract: Models of population dynamics in which per capita reproductive success declines at low population levels (variously known as depensation, the Allee effect, and inverse density-dependence) predict that populations can have multiple equilibria and may suddenly shift from one equilibrium to another. If such depensatory dynamics exist, reduced mortality may be insufficient to allow recovery of a population after abundance has been severely reduced by harvesting. Estimates of spawner abundance and number of surviving progeny for 128 fish stocks indicated only 3 stocks with significant depensation. Estimates of the statistical power of the tests strengthen the conclusion that depensatory dynamics are not apparent for fish populations at the levels studied.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Barrowman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hutchings
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rosenberg