SIZE AND BAG LIMITS IN RECREATIONAL FISHERIES: THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Size and bag limits are among the most common forms of regulations for recreational fisheries. In this paper, we theoretically study and compare the short- and long-term impacts of these policies on individual anglers and fish stocks. Particular attention is paid to the issue of release mortality, which can have important consequences for policy effectiveness. Theoretically, we show the conditions under which these policies will be successful in achieving biological objectives. Implications for recreation demand analysis are discussed. We also study these policies using a simulation model of various policy combinations for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Characteristics of total suspended matter and associated hydrocarbon concentration adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay entrance

Methodologies used to determine concentrations of hydrocarbons and associated suspended particulates at stations in and adjacent to the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay are described and the results are presented. Passive and active remote sensing data were acquired in conjunction with sea truth data collection

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF ALTERNATIVE BYCATCH-REDUCTION POLICIES AND BYCATCH REDUCTION DEVICES

This paper examines the ability of two new policies to reduce bycatch of red snapper by the shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico: Fractional License and Fractional Gear Programs, as proposed by Townsend, reduce bycatch by reducing the effort levels of shrimp vessels. The policies are evaluated both theoretically and using a simulation model, and they are compared with the current regulatory policy requiring shrimp vessels to use bycatch reduction devices to rebuild red snapper stocks. We find that either a FL program or a FG program could reduce effort and the related problem of bycatch resulting in improving red snapper stocks, while at the same time increasing economic welfare in the fishery.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Transferable Rights of Recreational Fishery: An Application to Red Snapper Fishery in the Gulf of Mexico

Transferable rights (TRs) programs are being increasingly considered in fisheries to overcome current overfishing situation. This paper will focus on developing a conceptual foundation, investigating advantages of the TRs program in fishery management, and answering critical issues to implement recreational TRs programs. Implication is to the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery.Transferable Rights, Individual Transferable Quota, Recreational Fishery, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q22,

Fermion excitations of a tense brane black hole

By finding the spinor eigenvalues for a single deficit angle (d-2)-sphere, we derive the radial potential for fermions on a d-dimensional black hole background that is embedded on a codimension two brane with conical singularity, where the deficit angle is related to the brane tension. From this we obtain the quasi-normal mode spectrum for bulk fermions on such a background. As a byproduct of our method, this also gives a rigorous proof for integer spin fields on the deficit 2-sphere.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figur

Joint Estimation of Revealed and Stated Preference Data: An Application to Recreational Red Snapper Valuation

This study extends the joint estimation of revealed and stated preference data literature by accounting for truncation in the revealed preference data. The analytical model and estimation procedure are used to estimate the value of recreational red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. This recreational red snapper valuation is decomposed into its direct and indirect components. As expected, the value of recreational red snapper fishing using the joint revealed-stated preference model proposed in this analysis is bracketed on the upper limit by the value obtained using the contingent valuation method and on the lower limit by the travel cost method. The results also indicate that the joint model improves the precision of estimated recreational red snapper valuation.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Assessment of Sediment Contamination in Casco Bay

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Contaminant concentrations of sediment samples collected approximately 10 years apart are compared in an attempt to establish current status of contaminant concentrations in Casco Bay, to determine whether contaminant concentrations are increasing, decreasing or remain unchanged, and to examine any changes in the geographical distribution of contaminants. This process is complicated by the potential of re-suspension of older sediment back to the surface, the non-homogeneity of sediments, low concentrations for some analytes and variability of different analytical methods. In spite of these complications several trends are observed. As expected, most of the contaminants appear to be decreasing in concentrations. Total PAH concentrations in the sediment are an exception. When comparing total PAH concentration in 1991 and 2001, there is neither an increase nor a decrease when the analytical uncertainties are considered. The continuing increased use of fossil fuels that may add additional PAH to the sediments appears to be balanced by increasing controls that lower PAH inputs. Total pesticides as well as 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDD and total DDTs indicate a decrease from 1991 to 2000/2001. Total PCB concentrations also suggest a decrease over this time period. Silver is the only trace element increasing in concentration at most sampling sites from 1991 to 2001. The reason for this difference is not clear. Concentrations decreased at the majority of the sampling sites for cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, and selenium with no apparent difference for arsenic, copper lead and zinc. Tributyltin and total butyltin concentrations decreased over the time period from 1994 to 2000/2001. The overall indication for dioxin/furans is no change between sampling periods. The planar PCB indicates no change (PCB 77) or decreasing concentrations (PCB 126). With the many complicating factors, the interpretation of these data needs to be done with care. There is no indication from these data that any of the contaminants measured has increased by more than a factor of 2. At most Casco Bay sites and for most analytes there is either no change or a decrease. There are sites where increases are apparent and many of these sites are at the shallow water sites or at the Inner Bay sites where concentrations are higher and new inputs are more likely Sediments from the Inner Bay region of Casco Bay; closest to Portland, ME; contain the highest levels of trace metals, PCBs, DDTs, and chlordane. For contaminants other than PAH (and these only at a few locations) and PCBs at one location, the levels of contamination in Casco Bay would not be considered high on a national basis, based on Macauley et al. (1994). The geographical distribution of most contaminants remains similar to those determined in 1991/1994. There are generally higher contaminant concentrations in the vicinity of Portland and other populated and industrial areas. Toxicity tests for selected sites and comparison of 2 contamination concentrations to ERL or ERM indicate the sediments are not toxic. The overall conclusion based on the available data is that the contaminant loading for Casco Bay, as a whole, is decreasing or remaining the same and these concentrations are not likely to adversely affect the biota. The geographic distribution of sediment contaminants is generally confirmed in the analysis of mussel tissue by the Casco Bay Estuary Project and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (Doggett, DEP, personal communication)