Estimating biological reference points using individual-based per-recruit models for the Gulf of Maine American lobster, Homarus americanus, fishery

F_10% and F_0.1 are two fishing mortality-based biological reference points (BRPs) often used in evaluating the status of fisheries. The estimation of F_10% and F_0.1 may be straightforward for many fish species, but difficult for species like American lobster, Homarus americanus, because of its complex life history and management regulations. In this study, we developed seasonal sex-specific size-structured individual-based per-recruit models to estimate the BRPs for the American lobster in the Gulf of Maine. The impact on the BRP estimation of uncertainty in some key parameters was evaluated. This study shows the large difference in the BRP estimations when different stock biomass/abundance measures were used, thus implying the importance of knowing selectivity and potential pitfalls associated with these measures used in lobster stock assessment and management. A mismatch of stock biomass/abundance measures used in estimating BRPs and current fishing mortality might result in misinterpretation of stock status.