Controlling incidental catch: An economic analysis of six management options

The authors identify a management approach to the problem of incidental catch and utilize that approach to evaluate six management options which are being considered to control incidental catch in the US fishery conservation zone of the Bering Sea. The evaluation is in terms of the ability of management to minimize the impact and control costs of incidental catch. The authors conclude that the use of economic disincentives tends to be preferable due to the inefficiencies and extensive information requirements of the alternative options.     

福建近海五种主要捕捞作业适宜捕捞力量的研究

本文根据福建省定置、拖、围、刺、钓五种捕捞作业在本省近海的捕捞力量和渔获量,并以１９９４年单位功率的渔捞效率为基准进行逐年捕捞力量的标准化,应用Ｓｃｈａｅｆｅｒ和Ｆｏｘ两同电脑分别估算它们的ｆＭＳＹ和ＭＳＹ。结果两处在算的ｆＭＳＹ和ＭＳＹ的平均值是：定置网为８．９０尤明等３７．４１万ｔ;推网为５５．８８万ＫＷ,３５．５１万ｔ;为桃围网为７．１２万ＫＷ,１０．０６万ｔ;刺网为１５．１９万ＫＷ,９．５     

An empirical analysis of the economic value of ocean space associated with commercial fishing

Understanding the economic value of ocean space is critical for implementing marine spatial planning (MSP). Empirical data from 1999 to 2008 are compiled on the economic values arising from commercial fishing in the Gulf of Maine and adjacent areas. The data are analyzed to characterize factors affecting the spatial and temporal distribution of measures of economic productivity and fishing effort. The analysis consisted of four components: (1) estimation of net revenue at the 10-min square level by season and gear; (2) assessment of variability for catch revenue and catch per unit effort; (3) mapping net revenue and variability in the study area; and (4) estimation of interactions among catch, effort, season, and gear type. The results indicated that, at each location, average fishing efforts exhibited a positive response to increases in expected revenues and a negative response to variability in revenues. Most of the variability in catch revenue can be explained by changes in fishing effort, implying that the spatial patterns of fishery resources are relatively stable at the 10-min square level. An important conclusion is that a spatial scale of at least the 10-min square is appropriate for undertaking MSP involving allocations of commercial fisheries.     

An economic analysis of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: Key drivers and possible solutions

The fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities has recently become a high priority in the international fisheries management agenda. While a number of academic contributions have sought to improve the understanding of the problem, most remain limited in scope. To help policy makers obtain a more comprehensive picture of the situation, the OECD Committee for Fisheries recently completed a study addressing the full economic dimensions of IUU fishing in an integrated manner. This paper presents the analytical framework developed by the OECD as well as some of the key results of the study regarding the causes of and the potential solutions to this widespread problem.     

Allocation of effort in artisanal fisheries: The importance of migration and temporary fishing camps

In order to avoid conflicts when spatially explicit rules are implemented, it is critical to understand the spatial distribution of fishing effort, the migration patterns of fishermen and the use of temporary fishing camps. The migration of fishermen is a process shaped by historical patterns of resource availability, in addition to economic and political factors. We present an example in which a temporary fishing camp used for extraction of benthic resources (Loco: Concholepas concholepas) changed into a permanent one during the study period. Throughout the study period fishing effort (trips) was closely related to the productivity of the different fishing grounds, with more trips directed to the most productive areas. The conversion from a temporary to a permanent fishing camp did not improve the efficiency of the loco fishery, but did allow better access to alternative resources (surf clams) on nearby fishing grounds. The succession from simple shelters to a permanent ‘caleta’ is a common situation along the Chilean coast, motivated originally by resource availability and more recently by the creation of the TURF system. In particular the TURF system converts temporary (resource driven) movements of fishermen into rigid stationary caletas, which creates a number of problems. Temporary fishing camps are common when fishing grounds are far from the base port, but they require specific administrative tools in order to achieve sustainable fisheries management.     

Fleet sizes,fishing effort and the ‘hidden’ factors behind statistics: An anthropological study of small-scale fisheries in UK

The assessment of fishing effort is a vital part of fisheries management. However, assessing fishing effort by small-scale local fleets is often problematic, partly because of the complex socio-economic and cultural factors that govern the labour patterns of different fisheries employing different fishing practices. Often, official statistics produced by governmental agencies do not fully capture these factors, so a more holistic understanding of regional fisheries is required. Some contribution by social anthropologists is thus called for, in order to assess actual fishing effort and the trend of regional changes in fishing activities.     

Developing a framework for displaced fishing effort programs in marine protected areas

As marine protected areas (MPAs) continue to be established, measures to address displaced effort are likely to become increasingly relevant. Recent experiences of displaced fishing effort programs for MPAs and recreational fishing reserves in Australia, together with two examples from the United States, are described. A practical framework for addressing displaced fishing effort is developed, which explores the likely displaced-effort scenarios and options when planning spatial commercial fishing closures for an MPA.     

An economic history and analysis of pelagic whaling

Following the introduction of sea-going factory vessels by Norwegian whalers in the 1926 season, the international whaling industry underwent a large expansion which ultimately resulted in depletion of many valuable stocks of whales. Attempts at conservation under the auspices of the International Whaling Commission met with limited but growing success, until a new management policy was adopted in 1975. By 1980 the killing of most species of baleen whales had been prohibited. The authors review the economic history of pelagic whaling during this period, and present a corresponding economic analysis. A brief survey of mathematical models of the whaling industry is given in the Appendix.     

An analysis of livelihood projects and programs for fishing communities in the Philippines

Over the last 30 years, a range of different livelihoods have been provided and implemented in fishing and coastal communities in the Philippine with mixed success and sustainability by the fisher and household. This paper reports on an analysis of livelihood projects for fishing communities and households implemented in the Philippines and the identification of lessons learned and factors which can lead to an improved success and sustainability rate for livelihood projects and programs. The analysis identified primary factors that are critical to improving the success and sustainability rate of livelihood interventions.     

基于捕捞努力量的中西太平洋鲣鱼围网渔业入渔预测分析

中西太平洋是全球主要的鲣鱼（Katsuwonus pelamis）围网作业渔场,渔场极易受到海洋环境的影响,但渔场分布在众多岛国的管辖海域,如何科学指导企业准确入渔是重要的研究课题。本文根据1995-2012年中西太平洋鲣鱼围网捕捞生产统计数据,选取产量最高的22个海区（5°×5°）,结合Niño3.4区海表温度距平值（SSTA）和作业海域表温（SST）,研究中西太平洋鲣鱼围网渔场的空间分布规律,同时,以各海区捕捞努力量（作业次数）所占的百分比为入渔指标,建立基于环境因子的入渔决策模型。研究认为,中西太平洋鲣鱼捕捞努力量在纬度方向上主要分布于5°S~5°N,其累计捕捞努力量占所有作业海区的87.4%,其中以130°~140°E经度范围为最高,其捕捞努力量占22个海区的45.08%。入渔指标与Niño3.4区的SSTA、作业海域SST均符合正态模型（P<0.01）,Niño3.4区的SSTA最适值为0.25℃,作业海域SST最适值在29.5℃左右。对预测和实际排名前十的海域进行统计发现,预测值与实际值基本一致。研究认为,所建立的入渔预测模型可有效指导企业的渔业生产,为提高企业生产效率提供支撑。     

An economic analysis of drawing lines in the sea

It is shown that low dispute costs relative to expected resource rents from oceanic resources favor drawn out disputes over maritime boundaries; asymmetric dispute costs favor agreement on boundaries wanted by the low dispute cost state party; and high symmetric dispute costs favor formation of joint development zones (JDZs). The fact that most maritime boundaries have not yet been drawn suggests that state parties think that resource rents that can be drawn from the oceans are high relative to dispute costs. Moreover, the recent mini-trend towards JDZs in East Asia suggests that state parties in the area have recently reassessed dispute costs as being higher than previously believed.     

Economic incentives for sustainable hilsa fishing in Bangladesh: An analysis of the legal and institutional framework

Bangladesh's hilsa shad (Tenulosa ilisha) comprises the largest single-species fishery in the country, constituting 11 per cent of the total catch and employing 2.5 million people directly or indirectly. Since 2003, following a sharp decline in catch figures, the hilsa fish has been the subject of a government conservation programme offering fishers economic incentives or payments for ecosystem services (PES). While PES schemes are widely used to conserve natural resources such as forests and watersheds, Bangladesh's programme is a rare example of PES for sustainable fishery management. Catch figures have improved since the programme was introduced; but concerns remain about fishers’ socioeconomic conditions and the long-term sustainability of Bangladesh's hilsa fishery. This paper analyses the conservation scheme's legal and institutional frameworks, identifying challenges to its design and implementation, and makes recommendations to overcome them.