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DETERMINE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF FISHING AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
DETERMINE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF FISHING AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Problem Statement
Because of severe restrictions on fishing quotas, there is a tremendous need for
economic analyses of management options and development of long-term strategies
for economically viable management approaches.
Critical Factors
- Many groundfish stocks have been overfished and are in severe decline.
- In order to rebuild these stocks, management measures may continue to
reduce the availability of particular stocks to fishers.
- Better economic data and analyses are needed to fully consider the
economic impacts or costs of these management options.
- Economic analyses of management options also are needed to develop
improved management regimes and assist economically depressed communities.
Status of Research
Statutory requirements dictate that research must be conducted on the potential
socioeconomic impacts resulting from proposed and potential fishery management
practices. Severe declines in a number of West Coast groundfish stocks necessitate
that measures be implemented to maintain the total catch of designated species
within established biological limits while achieving a fair distribution of
economic benefits from that resource. To this end, researchers at the
Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) are analyzing information on
current and historical operating costs and activity patterns of various
constituent groups involved in the fishing industry (e.g., commercial fishers
and processing centers). A new researcher with expertise in economics has been
added to the Division staff and will be focusing initially on this task. The Center,
via collaboration with the academic community, is researching the role economic
incentives will play in reducing bycatch in the groundfish fishery.
Future Considerations
As additional funding becomes available, NWFSC researchers will develop new
economic models and analyses that can provide additional input into the Pacific
Fishery Management Council decision-making process and assist in completion of
required regulatory reviews. It is expected that another economist will be hired
in the first quarter of 2003. However, additional staff will be needed to analyze
social and anthropological information.
Key Players
Fishery Resource Analysis & Monitoring (FRAM) Division, NWFSC
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Pacific Fishery Management Council
University of Washington
Oregon State University
Contact: Dr. Elizabeth Clarke, Director, FRAM Division (206/860-3381)
NWFSC Issue Paper FRAM 6405
Issue Papers Home
last modified 2002-10-02
Web site owner: Northwest Fisheries Science Center
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