Parzival Copes

Individual Transferable Quotas in the Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery: An Economic Appraisal

Southern bluefin tuna (SBT) are caught mainly by Australian and Japanese fishing fleets, with small quantities also being taken by New Zealand, Korean and South African fishermen.

Optimal Levels for Canada's Pacific Halibut Catch

The exclusion from U.S. waters since 1981 has greatly reduced the harvest potential for Canadas Pacific halibut fleet, making it particularly important that halibut resources in the Canadian zone be exploited at optimal levels. This paper provides a bioeconomic analysis of the joint-stock fishery in Area 2 convention waters. Using Canadian cost and revenue relationships, optimal harvesting levels are established according to three different criteria, including not only the maximization of resource rent, but also the maximization of a more inclusive social surplus and the maximization of benefits for the harvesting sector. Estimates are made of halibut demand, as well as yieldeffort and cost-effort relationships in order to calculate the various optima. The implications of this analysis for a Canadian fleet confined to the Canadian 200-mile zone of Area 2 are then discussed.

Minimum Information Management with the Help of Catch Quotas

Since the work of Gordon (1954) and Scott (1955) it has been widely recognized that common property fisheries generally operate in a socially suboptimal manner. As suggested by Turvey (1964) this state of affairs can be usefully regarded as stemming from externalities in the harvesting process. Any commercial fishery may exhibit several types of externalities.1 The fundamental externality of common property fisheries, however, derives from the resource base itself. The resource stock is a factor in each firm’s production function. Thus, by their harvesting activity, the firms impose diseconomies in production on each other. The result is a tendency towards excessive fishing effort and Overexploitation of the resource.

THE MARKET AS AN OPEN ACCESS COMMONS: A NEGLECTED ASPECT OF EXCESS CAPACITY

SummaryThis paper adapts the common property theory of fisheries economics to the analysis of perfectly competitive markets. It demonstrates that the open access characteristics of markets lead to dissipation of available ‘market rents’ through the costs of excess capacity. The conclusion is that an increase in net economic benefits may be generated by restricting the number (capacity) of units operating in perfectly competitive markets.

Bioeconomic Analysis of Management Options for Tropical Fisheries Using a Bicriteria Programming Model

A possible approach to the management of the multispecies multi-gear fishery in a developing country was explored. The small pelagics fishery in central Philippines was analyzed in three stages. A dynamic pool model represented the dynamics of the stocks. The optimal allocation of catch across competing fleets was modeled having regard for the pursuit of two conflicting objectives, maximizing employment and fishing profits. Alternative management schemes were then explored. On the basis of the criteria used, the optimal fleet size was a small fraction of the existing fleet size. Calculation of increased target yields through regulation of fishing mortality and selectivity showed that the increase in optimal fleet size would be moderate because the current level of exploitation is close to that producing the maximum yield-per-recruit. An agenda for exploration of further management alternatives appropriate to the social and economic policy objectives of a developing country is discussed.

Rationalization of Canada's Pacific halibut fishery

Abstract The halibut fishery, historically, has been an important sector of Canadas Pacific coast fishing industry. The migratory halibut stocks have been shared with the United States under a joint management regime, in effect since 1923. In the past a large share of the Canadian catch was taken from waters off the American coast. After imposition of the 200-mile limit Canadian vessels were barred from the American zone. At the same time, changes in natural conditions led to a reduction in the halibut stock size. As a result the Canadian halibut fleet must content itself with a greatly reduced catch. However, conditions for rational management of the fishery have improved as a result of a new joint management agreement with the United States, guaranteeing Canada a fixed formula share of the aggregate catch of the two countries. The paper discusses the options available to Canada to restructure its halibut fishery on a reduced scale, but with better rates of return.

The law of the sea and management of anadromous fish stocks

Abstract Unilateral declarations of 200‐mi fishing zones by coastal states are likely to find universal recognition in new articles of international law. These probably will conform to the Single Negotiating Text currently under discussion in continuing sessions of the Third Conference on the Law of the Sea. The articles of this Text are clearly designed to protect and strengthen the fisheries rights of coastal states. Ironically, the new rules may prove counterproductive in respect of the major salmon stocks that migrate beyond 200‐mi limits. Effective protection of state‐of‐origin rights on the high seas beyond these limits will be difficult. Distant water fishing fleets experiencing reduced access to 200‐mi coastal zones will be tempted to increase, their efforts on stocks found in the remaining high seas. Salmon interception by neighboring states will also remain a problem. The article analyzes protective strategies and accommodations that may be pursued by states of origin.

Fisheries on Canada's Pacific east coast: The impact of extended jurisdiction on exploitation patterns

Abstract Canadas assumption of a 200-mile fisheries jurisdiction has laid the basis for improved management of her Pacific coast fish stocks. The overexploitation of groundfish resources by foreign fleets has been curbed and damage to halibut stocks has been contained. But the impact of extended jurisdiction has not been wholly favourable to Canadas Pacific fishing interests. The important salmon fishery is subject to an increased threat of U.S. interception and remains vulnerable to a possible uncontrolled foreign fishery on the high seas. Fisheries relations with the U.S. have been exacerbated by the emergence of several transboundary stock problems, while Canadian fishermen have lost access to important traditional fishing grounds off the U.S. coast. The once substantial foreign fishing effort — notably that of the U.S.S.R. and Japan — has been greatly reduced. Continuing foreign access has been permitted in respect of minor stocks that are surplus to Canadas immediate harvesting plans. The conditions of access have not been particularly attractive to foreign fleets and foreign effort may be phased out as Canadas harvesting requirements increase. The new management regime promises an improved long run yield from Canadas Pacific coast fisheries, with a larger volume of fish products entering international trade.

The institute of fisheries analysis

Abstract The Institute of Fisheries Analysis was established at Simon Fraser University in 1980 with the support of faculty members sharing an interest in fisheries research. The academic areas represented by them include biological sciences, business administration, economics, geography, natural resources management, sociology and anthropology.