Optimal harvesting in a predator–prey model with Allee effect and sigmoid functional response

This work deals with the determination of the optimal harvest policy in an open access fishery in which both prey and predator species are subjected to non-selective harvesting.The model is described by autonomous ordinary differential equation systems, the functional response of the predators is Holling type III and the prey growth is affected by the Allee effect. The catch-rate functions are based on the catch per unit effort (CPUE) or Schaefer’s hypothesis.The problem of determining the optimal harvest policy is solved by using Pontryagin’s maximal principle. The problem here studied is to maximize a cost function representing the present value of a continuous time-stream of revenue of the fishery.