RIOFISH: A Comprehensive Management System Model for New Mexico Sportfisheries

The sportfishery comprehensive management system simulation model, RIOFISH, is described in text, diagrams, and mathematic appendix. RIOFISH simulates over 90% of the state fishing at 132 sites. The model has 3 main components (hydrology, biology, economics), which may be run separately or integrated. The hydrologic component simulates historic flows (1975-1992) or synthetic-forcast flows of water and biologically active material in seven flow categories from extreme low to extreme high runoff. Output information about flow and material load serves as input for the biologic component, which simulates ecosystem production and food partitioning for up to 24 fish populations. Output information about fish catch, harvest and mean weight serve as input for the economics component, along with habitat surface area from the hydrology component. The economics component simulates angler use, angler economic benefit and regional income from inputs about site quality, subsitute-site quality and angler demand. Model users may modify management and research-related imput variables and have access to numerous informative outputs. RIOFISH is run reiteratively, users compare outputs of reference scenarios and alternative scenarios to determine gains or losses in output values associated with management practice or research uncertainties.