Mathematical and Numerical Modeling of Physical and Biological Processes in the Barents Sea

Summary

A short review is given of a long range program which has been started in Norway to develop mathematical and numerical models of the physical, chemical and biological processes in an ocean in order to be able to estimate past, present and future states of the system. Included in the term state are the least number of quantities which give an adequate description of the total system behaviour in terms of growth, migration and distribution of both plankton and fish. An important aspect of the program is to develop techniques for recursive updating of the states and parameters of the models against data received from measurements taken in the real system. The final goal is an operational set of models in a dedicated computer system which can be used in planning the utilization of the resources, investigating consequences of different management strategies and in planning fisheries operations. The program started in 1975 and the first system is planned to operate in 1984.

Published in Environmental Biomonitoring, Assessment, Prediction, and Management-Certain Case Studies and Related Quantitative Issues, Edited by J. Cairns, G.P. Patii and W.E. Waters. Statistical Ecology Volume Sll. International Co-operative Publishing House, Fairland, Maryland, U.S.A. 1979.