Measuring capacity and capacity utilization of the Eastern Mediterranean purse seine fleet

The existence of excessive fishing capacity is globally recognized by resource managers as a major problem for fisheries, which is responsible for the degradation of fishery resources and for significant economic waste. Lately, the measurement of fishing capacity and capacity utilization has become more important due to the various national and international agreements and policies to reduce capacity in fisheries throughout the world. In this study, estimates of the fishing capacity and capacity utilization of the Eastern Mediterranean purse seiners were made using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Estimates were made for individual vessels based on the level of inputs used and outputs produced, relative to the other vessels operating under similar conditions. Analyses were made for the two fleet segments operating in Greece, 12-24 m and 24-40 m. From the DEA results of our study it was evidenced that both fleets were operating below their unbiased capacity output level. This suggested the existence of excess capacity especially in the fleet segment 12-24 m. Moreover, from our results it was evidenced that the 24-40 m fleet segment was found to be more efficient that the 12-24 m fleet segment. The variable input utilization rate (») derived by the DEA models showed that most of fishing vessels could have increased their landings by fishing for more days. Only 24% and 27% of the 12-24 m and 24-40 m fleet categories respectively were operating at their optimal number of days. This result will be compared with the results of a tobit analysis and the distance function analysis used in the project to find out capacity measurements. Understanding the definitions and measurement of fishing capacity and efficiency can be helpful tools in designing an effective capacity management plan. Improved management and monitoring of fishing capacity will contribute to sustainable, conservation-based fisheries

Case Studies on Co-management of Artisanal Fisheries of Sri Lanka

Fisheries co-management is essentially the sharing of responsibilities and/or authority between the government and local resource users to manage the fishery resource. This strategy is recognized as a solution to the problems encountered in centralized top-down management approaches. In the 'stake net fishery' of Negombo estuary in Sri Lanka, an effective co-management strategy exists where the traditional practices of sharing fishing dates and sites among four community groups are reinforced by government regulations. In the same estuary, some fishers cultivate mangroves for obtaining twigs and branches for construction of brush parks, a traditional practice useful for mangrove conservation. In the kraal fishery of Madu Ganga estuary of Sri Lanka, traditional community-based management (CBM) system has disappeared in early 1970s due to various socioeconomic and political reasons. Through revitalization of features of CBM, a co-management strategy can be introduced to this fishery. The annual inland fish production of Sri Lanka has declined dramatically after 1990, when state patronage for the development of inland fisheries was discontinued for 4 years in the absence of state-sponsored monitoring procedure in the fishery. Fisheries co-management is therefore an effective means for the management of inland capture fishery of the country. A co-management strategy for the culture-based fisheries in non-perennial reservoirs of Sri Lanka is also suggested

Consumer Choice for Quality and Sustainability in Seafood Products: Empirical Findings from United Kingdom

There has been a growing interest in recent years in the potential use of product differentiation (through eco-type labelling) as a means of promoting and rewarding the sustainable management and exploitation of fish stocks. This interest is marked by the growing literature on the topic, exploring both the concept and the key issues associated with it. It reflects a frustration among certain groups with the supply-side measures currently employed in fisheries management, which on their own have proven insufficient to counter the negative incentive structures characterising open-access fisheries. The potential encapsulated by product differentiation has, however, yet to be tested in the market place. One of the debates that continues to accompany the concept is the nature and extent of the response of consumers to the introduction of labelled seafood products. Though differentiated seafood products are starting to come onto the market, we are still essentially dealing with a hypothetical market situation in terms of analysing consumer behaviour. Moving the debate from theoretical extrapolation to one of empirical evidence, this paper presents the preliminary empirical results of a study undertaken in the UK. The study aimed, amongst other things, to evaluate whether UK consumers are prepared to pay a premium for seafood products that are differentiated on the grounds that the fish is either of (a) high quality or (b) comes from a sustainably managed fishery. It also aimed to establish whether the quantity of fish products purchased would change. The results are presented in this paper.Keywords: Consumer demand, seafood, fisheries management, certification, sustainability, quality, stated choice methods

Measuring the benefits of water resource protection from agricultural contamination: results from a contingent valuation study

Like many agricultural states, Iowa is facing a serious threat from non-point source (NPS) pollution in the water resources. The dispersed NPS pollution mixes with soil particles from uplands and is deposited in bottom lands where the pollutants can enter the aquatic environments of streams, ponds, and lakes. Sediment from the erosion of agricultural lands is the most significant source of NPS pollution in many parts of the state. All of these pollutants create various problems in the surface, subsurface, and ground water resources. One of the suggested methods to arrest this situation is the introduction of a Vegetative Buffer Strip (VBS) along with other conservation measures. A VBS can consist of perennial grasses, shrubs, and tree species, all with vigorous growth characteristics, and all purposefully established parallel to waterways along one or both banks. The objectives of the VBS and other measures, is to capture localized erosion and to filter nutrients, sediments and other chemical pollutants from agricultural runoff;The purpose of this study is to measure the benefits of environmental improvements through VBS and other management practices as perceived by residents of the watershed. For a wide variety of environmental resources and quasi-public goods, such as water, the absence of markets makes it extremely difficult to establish a monetary value for access to those commodities. Whenever events or a proposed change in policy affects the quality or availability of these nonmarket goods, either explicit or implicit cost benefit analysis often must be undertaken. Therefore, the contingent valuation (CV) methodology, which is based on underlying economic theory to measure welfare change, was used for this purpose. This procedure assumes that there is a market for clean water through VBS and other measures, and then using a survey approach, asks individuals what they would be willing to pay for clean water. The estimated average annual WTP for surface water was 49 and the ground water was \80. WTP values reported in many similar studies suggests that the value lies between 30 and \60.</p

Measuring the benefits of water resource protection from agricultural contamination: results from a contingent valuation study

Like many agricultural states, Iowa is facing a serious threat from non-point source (NPS) pollution in the water resources. The dispersed NPS pollution mixes with soil particles from uplands and is deposited in bottom lands where the pollutants can enter the aquatic environments of streams, ponds, and lakes. Sediment from the erosion of agricultural lands is the most significant source of NPS pollution in many parts of the state. All of these pollutants create various problems in the surface, subsurface, and ground water resources. One of the suggested methods to arrest this situation is the introduction of a Vegetative Buffer Strip (VBS) along with other conservation measures. A VBS can consist of perennial grasses, shrubs, and tree species, all with vigorous growth characteristics, and all purposefully established parallel to waterways along one or both banks. The objectives of the VBS and other measures, is to capture localized erosion and to filter nutrients, sediments and other chemical pollutants from agricultural runoff;The purpose of this study is to measure the benefits of environmental improvements through VBS and other management practices as perceived by residents of the watershed. For a wide variety of environmental resources and quasi-public goods, such as water, the absence of markets makes it extremely difficult to establish a monetary value for access to those commodities. Whenever events or a proposed change in policy affects the quality or availability of these nonmarket goods, either explicit or implicit cost benefit analysis often must be undertaken. Therefore, the contingent valuation (CV) methodology, which is based on underlying economic theory to measure welfare change, was used for this purpose. This procedure assumes that there is a market for clean water through VBS and other measures, and then using a survey approach, asks individuals what they would be willing to pay for clean water. The estimated average annual WTP for surface water was 49 and the ground water was \80. WTP values reported in many similar studies suggests that the value lies between 30 and \60.</p