The first OTTER simulator was developed by Gates and Crutchfield (1984). It was based on older, mainframe based simulation programs developed at Texas A & M University and at the National Marine Fishery Service Northeast Regional Center in Gloucester, MA (Crutchfield, 1986). OTTER version 1 performed three basic sets of calculations. First, it estimates the monthly and annual gross stock (i.e. total revenue) for a given type of vessel using a number of vessel characteristics. Second, annual costs are estimated, here too based on vessel operating patterns and characteristics. Finally, costs and revenues are divided under the chosen lay system between owner, captain and crew. This yields estimates of economic surplus (revenues less operating and opportunity costs) for crew and captain (Crutchfield, 1986).

When OTTER was first designed (circa 1982), there was a profound sense of dissatisfaction in the industry with fisheries management in general and fisheries economics in particular. There was no shortage of models telling fishers and managers what they "ought to do". There was however, very little available to monitor the economic status of the fleet or to describe differential impacts on various sectors of the fleets. A program was initiated by Dr. John M. Gates of the University of Rhode Island and Mr. Joseph Mueller and Ms. Patricia Kurkul of NMFS regional office (NERO), Gloucester. This cooperative effort led to the collection of vessel economics data, an "in house" main frame simulator at NERO, and eventually to a PC based simulator which solved issues of access and confidentiality with the in house version.
Otter version 2 was developed by Lallemand and Gates (1992). Like its predecessor, OTTER version 2 calculates revenues, costs and net incomes to boat, captain, crew and total for New England otter trawler vessels by size, port, gear type, skill, month and year. Six ports were added to the choice of eight ports already existing in the previous version. Choices on Otter fishing gear configurations were also added. In addition, Otter version 2 has the capability to display several bar graphs on revenues, costs and surpluses.
OTTER version 3 was developed by Lallemand (1999) thanks to the improvement and integration of friendlier and more powerful spreadsheets programs like Microsoft Excel 97. Indeed, most recent spreadsheets not only have the ability to display a wide range of graphics and charts but workbooks can also be composed of programming modules like macros commands and customized menus. The programming power of new spreadsheet software, ActiveX controls and OLE technology allow program developers to take short cuts when writing the program codes. They no longer need to write redundant codes for commands executing common tasks or for the rendering of pre-defined designs. Most familiar tasks and designs have been pre-programmed and are easily accessible to the programmer.

OTTER© Trawler Simulator version 2.0 is programed and designed in Quick Basic 4.5. The program OTTER version 2 calculates revenues, costs and net incomes to boat, captain, crew and total for New England otter trawler vessels by size, port, gear type, month and year. Several tables summarize the different computations.

Here is an overview of the version 2 in PDF format:

  OTTERv2Overview.PDF (1,039 Kb).

You may download the executable version of the program free of charge. Otter 2.0 was written in QuickBasic version 4.5. This compiled executable version will only run on an IBM Compatible Computer (under Windows 3.1, Windows 95/ 98/ NT/ 2000/ XP or MS-Dos version 5.0 or later) ! After downloading the file in the "C:\" directory, run the self extract file "OTTERDEM.EXE" or "OTTERFUL.EXE" (demo or full version respectively)....this will automatically unzip the files and start the program "OTTER.EXE" if you installed the program in the "C:\Otter" directory!

Note: Click (while holding the "Shift" Key on your Keyboard if you are using Netscape) on the following icon to download the self extract version of the software OTTER© Trawler Simulator.

1.   otterful.exe (1,577 Kb).   (Otter Full Version).
   
   

2.   otterdem.exe (1,396 Kb).   (Otter Demo Version, will fit on a 3 ½ inch floppy disk).
   
   

3.   otterdat.exe (156 Kb).   (Otter data year, 1982 to 1997).
   
   
   

The following show some sample screens from the program.

SimlobGRAPH© is designed to be used in conjunction with SIMLOB© version 3.0 (copyright© 1998-2002, MARSEA ASSOCIATES). SIMLOB© is a program designed to run a Lobster Bioeconomic Model.
SimlobGRAPH© was designed in Microsoft Excel 97. SimlobGRAPH© is an Excel spreadsheet with macros to automate reading, importation of output files created by the program SIMLOB©. SimlobGRAPH© then allows the user to display custom defined charts on biology or economics simulations. The information available to SimlobGRAPH© are the estimate stock size, weight, fishing effort, catch, various cost and producers' profit over time. Many of the model parameters describing lobster resource characteristics and fishing effort can be control. SIMLOB© enables users to estimate the impact of different resource scenarios and management strategies on the lobster industry, SimlobGRAPH© help with the interpretation of the results.

  SimlobGRAPH_demo.exe (2,407 Kb).   (SimlobGRAPH 3.0 Demo Version).