URGENT – Job Offer (English): Postdoctoral Position: Stock Assessment of an iconic Mediterranean fish using modeling approaches adapted to data poor stock: a case study of the common dentex (Dentex dentex) from Corsica Island

URGENT – Job Offer (English):
Postdoctoral Position: Stock Assessment of an iconic Mediterranean fish using modeling approaches adapted to data poor stock: a case study of the common dentex (Dentex dentex) from Corsica Island
Keywords: Stock assessment – Modelling – Small Scale Fisheries – Recreational fisheries

The European Union has set the objective that all commercial fish stocks be managed at their maximum sustainable yield (MSY), including those of the Mediterranean. In the Mediterranean, artisanal fishing represents more than 80% of the fishing fleet and indeed plays a leading social and economic role in the region. However, to date there has been virtually no stock assessment for species targeted by small-scale coastal fisheries in the Mediterranean. Dentex dentex (Linnaeus, 1758) is an emblematic coastal fish in the Mediterranean and Corsica in particular. It represents an important economic interest for artisanal commercial fishing. The common dentex is also particularly targeted by the recreational fishery and our work has allowed a best estimate of this harvest. Our team has therefore already carried out a series of studies on the ecology and exploitation of this species (e.g. Marengo et al. 2015, 2016, 2017; Bousquet et al. 2022; Garcia et al. 2022). The dentex longline fishery in Corsica is one of the 7 French fisheries involved in the Medfish project (Marine Stewardship Council and WWF) with central involvement of the CRPMEM (Regional Fisheries Committee and Marine farms of Corsica) of Corsica. Better knowledge of the dentex stock has been identified as a priority issue to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery. In this context, the DENTAL (FFP) and DENTEX DATA FIN (OSF MAVA-MSC) projects, started in 2021 and 2022 respectively, aim to carry out a stock estimate of dentex on the scale of Corsica for the local artisanal fishery, taking into account exploitation from recreational fishing. The overall objective is to adopt a holistic vision of the dentex fishery system and to develop a set of appropriate stock estimation models that take into account the uncertainty associated with limited data (data poor stocks). This approach will combine multiple ad hoc stock population assessment models, including Catch-MSY, Abundance-MSY and Length Based Bayesian Biomass estimation (Froese et al, 2017, 2018, 2020). Models will take into account the entire fishing effort, including various types of commercial fishing (nets and bottom-set longline) and recreational fishing (bottom trolling representing 90% of catches). Ultimately, the goal is to provide decision-makers with effective management tools to ensure the sustainability of dentex stocks while maximizing the profitability of the dentex fishery as a livelihood source for artisanal fishers.
Main activities:
• Data processing
• Modeling (stock assessment)
• Participation in work meetings
• Communication of results
• Report writing and publication

Requirements / field of training:
PhD in Marine Ecology or Fisheries
Fishing experience desired.

Expected knowledge and skills:
• Strong command of R
• Knowledge of fisheries
• University courses in life sciences or Agronomic Engineering
Home Institution:
University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli
UMR 6134 Environmental Sciences
UMS 3514 Stella Mare Marine Platform
Marana Lido
20620 Biguglia

Application: URGENT
Send CV and cover letter to durieux@univ-corse.fr before 31/03/2023

Contract start date: May 2023
Duration: 8 months + possibility of extension after obtaining funds

Bibliography:
Bousquet, C., Bouet, M., Patrissi, M., Cesari, F., Lanfranchi, J. B., Susini, S., … & Durieux, E. D. (2022). Assessment of catch composition, production and fishing effort of small-scale fisheries: the case study of Corsica Island (Mediterranean Sea). Ocean & Coastal Management, 218, 105998.
Froese, R., Demirel, N., Coro, G., Kleisner, K. M., & Winker, H. (2017). Estimating fisheries reference points from catch and resilience. Fish and Fisheries, 18(3), 506-526.
Froese, R., Winker, H., Coro, G., Demirel, N., Tsikliras, A. C., Dimarchopoulou, D., … & Pauly, D. (2018). A new approach for estimating stock status from length frequency data. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 75(6), 2004-2015.
Froese, R., Winker, H., Coro, G., Demirel, N., Tsikliras, A. C., Dimarchopoulou, D., … & Pauly, D. (2020). Estimating stock status from relative abundance and resilience. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 77(2), 527-538.
Garcia, J., Pasqualini, V., Vanalderweireldt, L., Bisgambiglia, P. A., Marengo, M., Lejeune, P., … & Durieux, E. D. H. (2022). Global patterns and environmental drivers of suitable habitat for Dentex dentex and Sciaena umbra along the Corsican coast. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 79(9), 2461-2472.
Marengo, M., Culioli, J. M., Santoni, M. C., Marchand, B., & Durieux, E. D. (2015). Comparative analysis of artisanal and recreational fisheries for Dentex dentex in a Marine Protected Area. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 22(3), 249-260.
Marengo, M., Pere, A., Marchand, B., Lejeune, P., & Durieux, E. D. (2016). Catch variation and demographic structure of common dentex (Sparidae) exploited by Mediterranean artisanal fisheries. Bulletin of Marine Science, 92(2), 191-206.
Marengo, M., Baudouin, M., Viret, A., Laporte, M., Berrebi, P., Vignon, M., … & Durieux, E. D. H. (2017). Combining microsatellite, otolith shape and parasites community analyses as a holistic approach to assess population structure of Dentex dentex. Journal of Sea Research, 128, 1-14.