User's Guide to MCON (Multiple Cohort N-Dimensional Model) -- Modern Fisheries Economics
MCON is a widely applicable second-order nonlinear differential equation multicohort population simulation model. The model incorporates salient population features through continuous nonlinear age-structured effects. The model uses coupled abundance-density equations for tropical multicohort populations. The system of equations is n-dimensional. The numerical running scheme employed is a second order finite differenced system. The time-step is resolved in terms of the highest changing rate parameter. The model was developed to understand the time evolution of tropical multicohort fishery systems. Component mechanisms programmed into the present model which affect each cohort life stage are: (i) resource assimilation rate, (ii) environmental carrying capacities for each age strata, (iii) basal metabolic rate, (iv) optimal weights at age strata, (v) density-dependent instantaneous natural mortality rate, (vi) density -dependent intraspecific competition coefficients, (vii) density-dependent net fecundity and birth rates.