Pacific Whiting Fishery Using Neural Network and Induction Modeling Abstract Approved:

Pacific whiting, with a maximum sustainable yield between 150,000 and 250,000 metric tons, is the largest stock of fish found off Oregon. The majority of the fish are processed into surimi. Hundreds of variables could potentially affect surimi quality (gel strength). Alternative harvesting and processing input combinations, as well as product quality attributes and their influences, were collected for the 1992-94 Pacific whiting seasons. This data was combined with other research on Pacific whiting quality to develop a comprehensive model of the Pacific whiting fishery. Neural network and induction modeling methods were used to isolate the importance of each input variable and document its interactive effects on other variables. Neural network modeling does not have the limitations of standard modeling techniques. A neural network model can "learn " and adjust weights among inputs and interactions as Redacted for Privacy Redacted for Privacy situations change. This allows for development of models which assign weights to all inputs, yet is easily maintained and updated