Economics of Protected Species vs. a Boutique Fishery

• Main Author: Cheuvront, Brian
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English; unknown
• Subjects: Seafood > Marketing; Aquaculture > Economic aspects; Seafood industry > Congresses; Fishery management > Congresses; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/conference_proceedings_or_journals/n296x108m

When the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) determined the black sea bass (BSB) stock was rebuilt, the annual catch limit (ACL) more than doubled. A segment of the commercial fishery had historically used fish pots to catch BSB and prior to the increase in the ACL, the fishery was closed within a few months of opening. When the ACL was increased, the fishery was expected to last nearly all year long. Concern was raised that the pot sector of the fishery may cause entanglement risk to critically endangered north Atlantic right whales (NARW). To make the higher ACL available to the commercial fishery, the SAFMC banned the use of pots during winter months, historically the most profitable period of fishing using this gear. Proposed modifications to the fishery to allow pot fishing for BSB in winter months would create economic winners and losers, as well as variable levels of risk of entanglement to NARW. The presentation will show how the SAFMC resolved the dilemma. Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, held July 11-15, 2016 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center (AECC), Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.