An estimator to reduce mail survey nonresponse bias in estimates of recreational catch: a case study using data from the Panulirus cygnus fishery of Western Australia

Abstract

Accurate recreational catch estimates are important in fisheries management. The mail survey is an easy and low cost method for collecting data for making these estimates. Unfortunately, this survey method results in estimates that can be seriously affected by nonresponse bias. This research develops estimators that reduce this bias and demonstrates their effectiveness using the recreational western rock lobster fishery as a case study.