Incorporating Count Data into Spatial-dependence Model

[mrodtka]

Hello,

I perform backpack electrofishing fisheries inventory surveys in wadeable streams for rare/Threatened fish species. Essentially we electrofish 200-500 m of stream at a (randomly selected) site stopping to record catch/habitat data every 25-50 m along the length of the reach. The spatial-dependence occupancy model (Tigers on Trails) appears well suited to the data collected during these surveys which includes fish count data (counts typically range between 0 and 4 fish/segment). Is anyone aware of any related models that incorporate count data into some form of spatial-dependence model for information collected along a survey route? Would such a model even be possible?

I ask for two reasons:
1. I suspect incorporating count data into the model would lead to more meaningful estimates of detection probability (more fish = more chances of detection).
2. An estimate of abundance at a site (or across sites), if possible, would be very useful.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Mike