SPASAM-MSE: a generalized spatial management strategy evaluation framework for exploring the impacts of spatial structure on stock assessments and management outcomes

Management strategy evaluations (MSEs) are helpful simulation tools for exploring the expected benefits and tradeoffs among management objectives produced by various management procedures. Few spatially explicit MSE tools exist, however, to facilitate evaluation of spatial complexity in stock assessment and management. We describe a generalized MSE R package tool (Spatial Processes and Stock Assessment Methods MSE, SPASAM-MSE) that integrates spatial population dynamic options in both the operating and assessment models to aid implementation of spatial MSE applications. The tool facilitates exploration of assessment and management performance across conditions that create spatial structure (e.g., biocomplexity, connectivity, demographics, fisheries, and management) while utilizing contemporary statistical methodologies (e.g., random effects and state-space modeling features). An example application is provided to demonstrate the utility of understanding tradeoffs in spatial management decisions. SPASAM-MSE provides a straightforward interface to consider spatial complexity in biological processes, assessment configurations, and management actions. We envision that the SPASAM-MSE tool will help facilitate increased operational implementation of robust spatial management procedures and aid management decision-making.