The selection of suitable indices for the measurement and analysis of fish condition

Abstract

A survey of the studies published in two leading fisheries journals revealed that the analysis and measurement of condition, based on length‐weight data, has been performed using a wide variety of indices and statistical procedures. Eight forms of index were identified which can be categorized into those which measure the condition of individual fish, i.e. condition factors‘, and those which measure the condition of subpopulations as a whole, i.e. regressions of log, 10 weight on log, 10 length and the parameters of such regressions. Analysis of a test data set indicated that both the form of index and properties of the data set size can dictate the patterns of condition observed. The various indices were reviewed in terms of appropriateness, simplicity and statistical correctness. It was concluded that an index should be selected only after a detailed examination of both the underlying assumptions of the index and the properties of the data set.