Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society
Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 727531, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/727531

Research Article

Discrete Optimal Control Method Based on the Optimal Strategy of Fishing

Lichun Zhang1,2 and Qingdao Huang¹

¹Mathematics School and Institute, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China
²College of Mathematics, Beihua University, Jilin City, Jilin 132013, China

Received 24 September 2014; Revised 11 December 2014; Accepted 11 December 2014

Academic Editor: Manuel De la Sen

Copyright © 2015 Lichun Zhang and Qingdao Huang. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Consideration was given to the discrete optimal control method for the optimal fishing strategy. Our method is new and efficient for discrete optimal control problem, which is different from the other optimal methods such as the traditional variational method, the Pontryagin principle of maximum, and the dynamic programming. The basic construction of the model is the traditional logistic function relating to the growth of fry. The discrete optimal control method for optimal fishing strategy was used to construct the optimal rate of each fishing strategy; the main focus of our work is on the rigorous mathematical analysis of the optimal control problem. The analysis allows one to obtain the optimal initial investment amount of the fry and the optimal size of the total catch. Furthermore, when the initial investment amount of the fry is below or above the optimal value and the intrinsic growth rate of fish is too small, we derive that fishing operations should not be started in the last few years to make the overall fishing amount optimal. At last, several typical examples are given to illustrate the obtained results.

1. Introduction

Optimal control problem has been studied for many years, and in recent years, the optimal harvesting strategy of some species has been studied extensively by many authors [1–3]. An optimal harvesting policy is given using Pontryagin’s maximum principle by many authors [1, 2]. They consider the following fishery model:

where is biomass of fish population, is the biological net growth rate, is catch ability coefficient, and is fishing effort. This model was originally developed by Schaefer [4] as a management tool for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Tuna Fishery. In the original Schaefer model, was specified in “logistic” form

where and are positive parameters called the “intrinsic growth rate” and the “carrying capacity,” respectively. The term represents the rate of mortality imposed by the fishery, that is, the rate of catch, corresponding to a given input of fishing “effort” . Their objective is to determine

The study of predator-prey models with harvesting has also attracted the attention of researchers; see, for example, Brauer and Soudack [5–7], Beddington and Cooke [8], Dai and Tang [9], Hogarth et al. [10], Myerscough et al. [11], and Goh [12].

Extensive and unregulated harvesting of fishes can even lead to the dropping of the overall number of fishing. Some associated documents have shown that the optimal initial investment amount of the fry is the optimal value to guarantee the optimal overall fishing amount [2], but they did not give the optimal rate of each fishing strategy and more important, however, is that when the initial investment amount of the fry is not , how can we decide the optimal fishing strategy ?

In this paper, we will give the discrete optimal control method of the optimal fishing strategy. This method is new and efficient for discrete optimal control problem, which is different from the other optimal methods such as the traditional variational method, the Pontryagin principle of maximum, and the discrete dynamic programming. The basic construction of the model is the traditional logistic function relating to the growth of fry. The discrete optimal control method for optimal fishing strategy was used to construct the optimal rate of each fishing strategy; the main focus of our work is on the rigorous mathematical analysis of the optimal control problem. The analysis allows one to obtain the optimal initial investment amount of the fry and the overall optimal fishing amount. Furthermore, when the initial investment amount of the fry is below or above the optimal value and the intrinsic growth rate of fish is too small, we derive that fishing operations should not be started in the last few years to make the overall fishing amount optimal. However, the other optimal methods such as the traditional variational method require the controlled variable not to be restricted; hence the variational method is not available. The discrete dynamic programming method is not convenient in the calculation for the logistic model is complex and not linear. The maximum principle in the calculation of the discrete control optimization is not convenient too. Hence, we pointed out that our method is new and efficient for discrete optimal control problem. Finally, several typical examples are given to illustrate the obtained results.

The aim of this paper is to undertake the mathematical analysis of the optimal control problem introduced above, namely, to maximize (7) subject to (4)–(6). We also provide some numerical results that illustrate the theoretical results by several typical examples. We remark that there are few optimal control studies in the literature for discrete optimal control problem.

An outline of the paper is as follows. In Section 2, discrete optimal control method of the optimal fishing strategy is given. This method is used to construct the optimal rate of each fishing strategy and then obtain the optimal initial investment amount of the fry and the overall optimal fishing amount. In Section 3, we discuss that when the initial investment amount of the fry is not the optimal value and the intrinsic growth rate of fish is too small, fishing operations should not be started in the last few years to make the overall fishing amount optimal, and then, several typical examples are given to illustrate the obtained results. In Section 4, we give a detailed table to show some figures to illustrate the obtained results. Finally, in Section 5 we draw a conclusion.

2. Discrete Optimal Control Method to Construct the Optimal Fishing Rate

Let denote the original amount of fry, which is the density of fish in the th years. Let

be the natural growth rate of fish, where is the intrinsic growth rate of fish, is the maximum carrying capacity of environment, which is assumed to be fixed within three years, and is the year under consideration. Let

be the remaining amount of fish after years, where is the degree of each fishing strategy in the th years; choose the control set , defined as

We define the objective functional

where represents the amount of fishing in the th years. Our goal is to maximize , that is, to find a such that

where satisfies conditions (4)–(6).

Theorem 1. Assume that , and conditions (4)–(6) hold; then there exists the optimal initial investment amount of the fry , and the optimal rate of each fishing strategy is , making the overall amount of fishing the optimal value .

Proof. The way we consider this problem is similar to the dynamic programming; to make the overall amount of fishing the optimal value, we let , which means that we fish all in the last year:

It is easy to see that is a quadratic function about , when , to be the maximum , we have completed the third fishing progress.
From condition (5), we have

and then we can derive that

Derive , . Obviously, is an increasing function on . Since

and when , the inequality could be equality. Adjoining this inequality with (10) gives

and this relation yields . When , then

where ; we have completed the second fishing progress.
Similarly, from condition (5), we have

We can derive that

Derive , , where is an increasing function on . Since

then

We are able to obtain that . When , then

where ; we have completed the first fishing progress.
To sum up, we can determine the optimal rate of each fishing strategy as

and the overall amount of fishing to be the optimal value as

The optimal initial investment amount of the fry is .

Corollary 2. Assume that , and conditions (4)–(6) hold; then there exists the optimal initial investment amount of the fry , and the optimal degree of each fishing strategy is

making the overall amount of fishing the optimal value

Note 1. In Theorem 1 we take to be fixed, since the capacity of environment cannot change greatly in three years. When time is more than three years or when it has been a long time, we can consider that is possible to be changed, and recounting is necessary.

Note 2. In front of the proof, we say that the way we consider this problem is similar to the discrete dynamic programming. Actually, this problem cannot be solved by other optimal methods such as the traditional variational method, the Pontryagin principle of maximum, and the dynamic programming. This is because we need a hypothesis in discrete optimal control problem: and are linearly independent, which can be assumed for discrete optimal control problem of free terminal, but for discrete optimal control problem of fixed terminal, this assumption is not established for the state equation .

From Theorem 1 we can derive that the optimal initial investment amount of the fry is , and the optimal rate of each fishing strategy is , , and then the overall amount of fishing is the optimal value . However, in realistic application the initial investment amount of the fry may be above or below the optimal value and may not hold; then how can we decide the optimal degree of each fishing strategy to make the overall amount of fishing the optimal value? These questions are investigated below.

3. Optimal Fishing Strategy When the Initial Investment Amount of the Fry Is Not the Optimal Value

Theorem 3. Suppose that , , , , and where

and conditions (4)–(7) hold. Then one has the following optimal fishing strategy.

(1)When , one does not fish in the two previous kinds of fishing progress.(2)When , one does not fish in the first fishing progress.(3)When , one fishes in each kind of progress.

In every kind of fishing progress, one can determine the optimal fishing degree and obtain the overall optimal amount of fishing .

Proof. Assume , where is the density coefficient of the initial fry. From condition (5),

where . From condition (5),

Suppose that ; then ; when (i.e., ), should be , or does not reach the optimal investment value in the next fishing process.

Step 1. In the first fishing process, we divided the situation into two circumstances.

(1)When (i.e., ), we have , .(2)When (i.e., ), we have ; to decide we set , from (5), where

We get

and then

It is easy to see that when (i.e., ), our fishing amount is exactly equal to , which is just the exceeded amount.

Step 2. In the second fishing process, we divided the situation into two circumstances too.

(1)When , , from condition (4), we obtain

From condition (5),

Suppose that , and then ; when (i.e., ), should be ; otherwise does not attain the optimal investment value in the next fishing process.

(a)When   (), we have

where

which is the solution of (i.e., ).
To sum up, when , we have

(b)When   (), we have ; similar to Step 1 we set ; from (5),

We get

and then

Obviously, when   (), we can verify that , which is just the exceeded amount.
To sum up, when , we have

(2)When , along with condition (4), we obtain

From condition (5),

Suppose that , and then ; when (i.e., ), should be ; otherwise does not attain the optimal investment value in the next fishing process.

(a)When   (), we have

Since , then ; we get , and therefore, and have no intersection set.

(b)When   (), we have ; we set ; from (5),

We get

and then

Since , therefore, and have the intersection set .
Obviously, when   (), we can verify that , which is just the exceeded amount.
To sum up, when , we have

Step 3. In the third fishing process, we divided the situation into two circumstances.

(1)When , we have along with condition (4); we obtain

In the last fishing process, we let , and then

(2)When or , along with condition (4); we obtain

In the last fishing process, we let , and then

In summary, we obtain the following conclusion.

(1)When , we have

It means that when , we do not fish in the two previous kinds of fishing progress and fish all in the last fishing progress. This has no sense from a practical point of view. Therefore, we consider that not going in for fish farming is the better strategy.

(2)When , we have

It means that when , we do not fish in the first fishing progress, among which it is not difficult to verify for .

(3)When , we have

It means that when , we fish in each kind of progress. In every kind of fishing progress, we can determine the optimal fishing degree and obtain the overall optimal amount of fishing , among which it is not difficult to verify , for and , respectively.

Example 4. Consider Theorem 3   and ; determine the optimal strategy of fishing using the discrete optimal control method.
Since , then , ; we obtain by calculating the function , which come from the equality . A more detailed procedure is described below.
Since ,

and then

Suppose that ; then ; when (i.e., ), should be .

Step 1. In the first fishing process, we divided the situation into two circumstances.

(1)When , we have , .(2)When , we have ; we set ; from (5),

We get

and then

Step 2. In the second fishing process, we divided the situation into two circumstances too.

(1)When , ; from condition (4), we obtain

From condition (5),

Suppose that , and then ; when   (i.e., ), should be .
Note. To solve , we only find the solution of the following problem:

In the derivatives of ,

and when or , then is an increasing function; it is easy to see that , when , and the above inequality is right. It means that .
To sum up, when , we have

(2)When , we have , and along with condition (4); we obtain

and we set ; from condition (5),

We get

and then

We have

Step 3. In the third fishing process, we divided the situation into two circumstances.

(1)When , we have along with condition (4); we obtain

In the last fishing process, we let , and then

(2)When , along with condition (4); we obtain

In the last fishing process, we let , and then

In summary, we obtain the following conclusion.

(1)When , we have

It means that when , we do not fish in the two previous kinds of fishing progress. It is easy to see that

It means that the maximum harvesting amount is less than the initial optimal investment amount within three years; this has no sense from a practical point of view, let alone . Therefore, we consider that when the intrinsic growth rate of fish , not going in for fish farming is the better strategy. On the contrary, when , we consider that setting is the best policy decision and then determine and .

(2)When , we have

It means that when , we fish in each kind of progress. In every kind of fishing progress, we can determine the optimal fishing degree and obtain the overall optimal amount of fishing .
Note. When , , the result of Example 4 is just the very thing of Theorem 1. It means that Theorem 1 is a special case of Theorem 3.

Example 5. Consider Theorem 3  ; we set and determine the optimal strategy of fishing using the discrete optimal control method.
For convenience, we only give the final result. Since , then , ; we obtain by calculating the function , which come from the equality .

(1)When , we have

It means that when , we do not fish in the two previous kinds of fishing progress. It is easy to see that

where may be greater than only when . It means that the maximum harvesting amount is less than the initial optimal investment amount within two years, and the maximum harvesting amount is less likely to be more than the initial optimal investment amount within three years; this has no sense from a practical point of view. Therefore, we consider that when the intrinsic growth rate of fish , not going in for fish farming is the better strategy.

(2)When , we have

It means that when , we do not fish in the first fishing progress. It is easy to see that the maximum harvesting amount is less than the initial optimal investment amount within one year; this has no sense from a practical point of view.

(3)When , we have

It means that when , we fish in each kind of progress. In every kind of fishing progress, we can determine the optimal fishing degree and obtain the overall optimal amount of fishing .
Note. When Example 5  , , we can obtain the same optimal strategy of fishing as Example 5. This is because no matter whether or , and is unchanging.

Corollary 6. No matter whether Theorem 3   or , one can obtain the same optimal strategy of fishing on condition that .

Corollary 7. Some people mistakenly think that “more is better” when they give the initial investment amount, but in fact this is not the case. Only when can one obtain the optimal overall fishing amount.

4. Discussion

From Sections 2 and 3 and Examples 4 and 5, we set and obtain the following conclusions.

When the initial investment amount of fry , , we can determine to make the overall fishing amount optimal. It is easy to see that when , we cannot guarantee . It means that the maximum harvesting amount is less than the initial optimal investment amount , which has no sense from a practical point of view, let alone . Therefore, we consider that when the intrinsic growth rate of fish , not going in for fish farming is the better strategy. On the contrary, when , setting is the best policy decision. Assume that ; if is large enough, we only have , and the other is possible to reach ; we do not cause great losses except for the first year.

In Section 3, we set and obtain a series of conclusions. If , we can also gain some similar conclusions. When the initial investment amount of the fry is below or above the optimal value and the intrinsic growth rate of fish is too small, we derive that fishing operations should not be started in the last few years to make the overall fishing amount optimal. To illustrate our conclusions clearly, we list the optimal total fishing amount as follows.

Assume that , , and , when or and , detailed in Table 1.

Table 1

2
2

0
0

0
0

or
2.25
2.02

0
0

0
0

0

From Table 1 we see that the overall optimal amount of fishing is different when the initial investment amount of fry is different; only when initial investment amount of fry is , is the overall fishing amount optimal. On the other hand, in every kind of fishing progress, we can determine the optimal fishing degree and obtain the overall optimal amount of fishing . It is easy to see that when , we do not fish in the two previous kinds of fishing progress; when , we do not fish in the first fishing progress; when , we fish in each kind of progress.

5. Conclusion

From the rigorous mathematical analysis of the optimal control problem, we obtain the optimal initial investment amount of the fry and the optimal size of the total catch. When the initial investment amount of fry attains the optimal value , we can determine to make the overall fishing amount optimal. Furthermore, when the initial investment amount of the fry is below or above the optimal value and the intrinsic growth rate of fish is too small, we derive that fishing operations should not be started in the last few years to make the overall fishing amount optimal.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11171131) and Jilin Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (201115043).

References

J.-F. Sun and X.-K. Gou, “Analysis of prey-predator fishery model with prey reserve,” Chinese Quarterly Journal of Mathematics, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 290–295, 2011.

H. Y. Lu and K. Wang, “A class of autonomous single-species models and their optimal harvesting policies,” Journal of Systems Science and Mathematical Sciences, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 33–42, 2010.

Y. P. Liu, Z. X. Luo, and L. Lin, “Optimal harvesting policy for a system of two competitive species with periodic coefficients,” Mathematics in Practice and Theory, vol. 38, no. 22, pp. 109–116, 2008.

M. B. Schaefer, “A study of the dynamics of the fishery for yellowfin tuna in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean,” Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Bulletin, vol. 2, pp. 247–285, 1957.

F. Brauer and A. C. Soudack, “Stability regions and transition phenomena for harvested predator-prey systems,” Journal of Mathematical Biology, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 319–337, 1979.

F. Brauer and A. C. Soudack, “Stability regions in predator-prey systems with constant-rate prey harvesting,” Journal of Mathematical Biology, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 55–71, 1979.

F. Brauer and A. C. Soudack, “Coexistence properties of some predator-prey systems under constant rate harvesting and stocking,” Journal of Mathematical Biology, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 101–114, 1981.

J. R. Beddington and J. G. Cooke, “Harvesting from a prey-predator complex,” Ecological Modelling, vol. 14, no. 3-4, pp. 155–177, 1982.

G. Dai and M. Tang, “Coexistence region and global dynamics of a harvested predator-prey system,” SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 193–210, 1998.

W. L. Hogarth, J. Norbury, I. Cunning, and K. Sommers, “Stability of a predator-prey model with harvesting,” Ecological Modelling, vol. 62, no. 1–3, pp. 83–106, 1992.

M. R. Myerscough, B. F. Gray, W. L. Hogarth, and J. Norbury, “An analysis of an ordinary differential equation model for a two-species predator-prey system with harvesting and stocking,” Journal of Mathematical Biology, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 389–411, 1992.

B. S. Goh, Management and Analysis of Biological Populations, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1980.