This document presents two software packages for bioeconomic modeling of artisanal and industrial sequential shrimp fisheries based on an age-structured Thompson and Bell (in Ricker, 1975) yield per recruit biological model and a simple input-output microeconomic model. BEAM1 gives its simulated results by age groups. BEAM2 gives them by standard commercial categories as used in the shrimp fishing industry.

It contains a user guide for using BEAM1 and BEAM2 and an example of the application of BEAM1 to the shrimp fisheries of Suriname. The user interface of the program is like a spreadsheet which allows the users to simulate interactively various management options, changing the number of recruits, the size of the fishing fleets, the fishing regime (i.e., the age at first capture in the two sequential fisheries), and the economic parameters of the fleets and of the processing sector.

The programs give their results in terms of biomass and catch, in numbers, weight and value. These results are given by simulation interval (i.e., by age groups in BEAM1 and commercial categories in BEAM2), by fleet (for a maximum of two fleets operating sequentially), and by fishery sector (capture and processing).

The economic results refer to total costs and revenues, total and domestic value added, profits and losses, employment and foreign exchange earnings.

This document presents two software packages for bioeconomic modeling of artisanal and industrial sequential shrimp fisheries based on an age-structured Thompson and Bell (in Ricker, 1975) yield per recruit biological model and a simple input-output microeconomic model. BEAM1 gives its simulated results by age groups. BEAM2 gives them by standard commercial categories as used in the shrimp fishing industry.

It contains a user guide for using BEAM1 and BEAM2 and an example of the application of BEAM1 to the shrimp fisheries of Suriname. The user interface of the program is like a spreadsheet which allows the users to simulate interactively various management options, changing the number of recruits, the size of the fishing fleets, the fishing regime (i.e., the age at first capture in the two sequential fisheries), and the economic parameters of the fleets and of the processing sector.

The programs give their results in terms of biomass and catch, in numbers, weight and value. These results are given by simulation interval (i.e., by age groups in BEAM1 and commercial categories in BEAM2), by fleet (for a maximum of two fleets operating sequentially), and by fishery sector (capture and processing).

The economic results refer to total costs and revenues, total and domestic value added, profits and losses, employment and foreign exchange earnings.

Key Features:
BEAM1
• Model Setup: Set Simulated lifespan and Fisheries sequence. Set Growth, Mortality and Value Parameters
• Biological SubModel: Thompson and Bell Simulation of Catch, Biomass and Value by Age Group and Fishery for a given Recruitment
• Economic SubModel: Input/Output Simulation of Economic Results: Investments, Costs, Returns, Value Added, etc., by Fishery
• Exit to DOS

BEAM2
• Model Setup: Set Commercial Categories and Fisheries sequence. Set Growth, Mortality and Value Parameters
• Biological SubModel: Thompson and Bell Simulation of Catch, Biomass and Value by Commercial Category and fishery for a given Recruitment
• Economic SubModel: Input/Output Simulation of Economic Results: Investments, Costs, Returns, Value Added, etc., by Fishery
• Exit to DOS

System Requirements:
BEAM programmes can, in principle, be used on any IBM Personal Computer or 100% compatible machine under PCDOS or MSDOS (2.1 or higher version). The minimum hardware configuration required is: an IBM pc or 100% compatible computer with 256 KB RAM memory, one 360 KB 5.25" or 720 KB 3.5"disk drive, a monochrome or color Video Display Unit, and a standard keyboard.

With this minimal configuration, the results are printed on the screen. The program can be run more confortably with the following optional hardware: a second floppy disk, a printer (on LPT1) with 80 columns or more. When Using an enhanced keyboard(101/102 keys), arrows on the numeric pad must be used to move the cursor.

Price $US 40

How to Order

Data Administrator:
S. Coppola, Fishery Resources Officer, FIRM,
FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome,
Italy Tel. +39 06 57053034 Fax +39 06 57053020
E mail: Rino.Coppola@fao.org

Responsible Officers:
R. Shotton, Fishery Resources Officer, FIRM,
FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy
Tel. +39 06 57056481 Fax +39 06 57053020
E mail: Ross.Shotton@fao.org

R. Willmann, Fishery Planning Officer, FIPP,
FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy
Tel. +39 06 57053408 Fax +39 06 57056500
E mail: Rolf.Willmann@fao.org