VONBIT stands for von Bertalanffy Iterative Approach and it is a computer software designed to run under Windows. The presented linear regression method for fitting the von Bertalanffy growth function to data on size at age is also directly applicable to tag and recapture data, thus offering a more integrated approach than other similar methods. Several comparison tests have revealed that the present approach shows lower error and bias and more flexibility of action than other commonly used models and systems.

The methodological notes included in the tutorial component of the system were taken from the original work that was published in 1989 by ICES with reference J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer. 45: 200-208.

In the method proposed here the driving parameter is k, trial values of which are used in simple linear regressions with age as the independent variable and observed size as the dependent variable. The advantage over general-purpose non-linear procedures is that the optimization process concentrates on values of k only and deals with stationary points on a curve, rather than on a surface. This makes it possible to select a single population value for k as a global optimum. The method involves very few computational steps, and although it remains an iterative approach (in that trial values of k are examined), the number of iteration steps as well as the accuracy of parameter estimation are under the control of the user.

Fitting data from tagging experiments

Extensive comparisons, some reported here, were made between the proposed method and other methods in current use. These comparisons reveal that the latter procedures may sometimes underestimate the true value of the overall population k. For instance, some methods make the basic assumption that all individuals have the same maximum asymptotic length and only their individual values of k are different. Others use the length at capture as independent variable, thus assuming that it is free of measurement errors. Such assumptions tend, in general, to underestimate k .

Data handling

• Creating new data sets for size-at-age data or tagging data
• Frequencies or weighting factors may be included in size-at-age data
• Editing/modifying of datasets
• Ages/time intervals may refer to years, months or days

  Computations

• Flexible set-up of ranges and accuracy requirements for the driving growth parameter k;
• Users verify the outcome of the iterative approach by means of plots and system messages;
• Displays of the resulting estimated parameters and associated coefficient of determination ;
• Displays of input and estimated values for lengths (size-at-age data);
• Displays of input and estimated values for lengths and absolute ages (tagging data);
• VONB plots for both size-at-age and tagging data;
• Consistency checks for size-at-age-data;
• Optional non-asymptotic approach for both size-at-age and tag-and-recapture data.

 

Operational guidelines and tutorial

• Step-by-step description of data handling and computational procedures, including methodological notes.

Minimum system requirements

• Windows 95.
• 20 MB of hard disk .

How to download, install and run the software

• for VONBIT users only:
  Click here to start download the VONBIT upgraded version (ftp.fao.org/fi/stat/windows/vonbit/vonbit_upgrade.zip - 1 Mb)
  Please read the enclosed BEFORE_STARTING text file for instructions on how to upgrade.

   

• for new VONBIT users:
  Click here to start download (ftp.fao.org/fi/stat/windows/vonbit/vonbit.zip 12 Mb)
  Please read the enclosed BEFORE_STARTING text file for instructions on how to install and run VONBIT.

Contacts

Inquiries concerning operations of the VONBIT system
C. Stamatopoulos, Senior Fishery Data Officer, FIDI.
FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla,00100 Rome, Italy
Tel. +39 06 5706477
Fax. +39 06 57052476
E mail: cstamat@gmail.com