Zusammenfassung: This set of computer programs for stock assessment uses MS FORTRAN 77 version 4.1* for all the programs. The programs will compile under version 3.2 of MS FORTRAN 77, however the Open statements with file types “Unknown” must be changed to “New” or “Old” depending on the expected status of the file. The “shell” called TUNE is used to build the appropriate batch file for submission of the multiple runs used for calibration. Each of these programs is an interactive stand alone module, each can be used independently of the others. This report gives an outline of how and where these programs fit into an analytical process. A set of disks with the source code and the executable (*.EXE) files is available from the editor or the programs can be copied from the ICCAT Secretariat in Madrid; an Annex to this report containing a listing of the source code is also available. A glossary of terms commonly used in the assessment process is presented in Appendix I.

Zusammenfassung: The SPECIESDAB manual describes the use of software created to assist in the retrieval of information relevant to species of interest to fisheries. Data on scientific and vernacular nomenclature, biology, fishing gears, and geographical distribution are included for species that belong to certain marine resource groups. This information is derived from the FAO Fisheries Department species identification and data programme publications and the software is designed to permit continual updating as new publications on other resource groups appear. To date, some 25 major resource groups are covered. Among these are shrimps, lobsters, cephalopods, sharks, marine turtles, and 20 families of bony fishes, which together form a significant component of world fisheries. The program uses a menu system to provide users easy access to the information contained in SPECIESDAB. The manual includes extensive examples of how to use the software. On-line help is also available. Extensive query and reporting capabilities are provided to access data on valid scientific names, synonyms, national and local names, official FAO trilingual names, size, habitat, behaviour, kinds of gear utilized in the fishery, and level of interest to fisheries. Geographical information may be obtained by species, by country, or by fishing area. Data may be extracted for either a single resource group or for all resource groups in combination. Furthermore, the user interested in using only the data of species occurring in a particular geographical area can create, with the Regional option, a sub-database including only the species found in the countries selected. This option can be useful for regional bodies and working groups. SPECIESDAB includes a bibliographic reference system, which may be updated by the user as well as utilities for exporting data.