Predict the potential fishing grounds for Kilka (Clupeonella spp.) fishes in southern part of the Caspian Sea using maximum entropy models and remotely sensed satellite data

During the past two decades, total catch of the Caspian Kilka have reached to a crisis point. The present study aimed to predict the Kilka Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) across Iranian waters of southern region of the Caspian Sea. The potential fishing zones of Kilka fishes were modelled using MaxEnt and fishing points’ data in the Anzali and Babolsar ports. Two year-catch (2015 to 2016) geographical points and raster environmental images were provided to produce a map for Kilka PFZ. The selected environmental variables were, night time Sea Surface Temperature, Chlorophyll-a concentration and turbidity. According to the results, prediction could be made using the environmental factors for Kilka PFZ with high accuracy (AUC=0.96; SD=0.01) with NSST having the highest impact on the predictions.