A BIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE SWEDISH FISHERY FOR NORWAY LOBSTER (NEPHROPS NORVEGICUS)

Abstract

A modified version of Jones' length-based cohort analysis is linked to economic data from the Swedish trawl fishery for Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). The current regulation implies a fishing practice where each landed lobster entails three killed due to discard mortality, and different cases of trawl selectivity are compared together with varying natural mortality. The bioeconomic analysis shows that a maximum economic yield equilibrium requires effort reductions of more than 50%, leading to a potential resource rent of almost US $3 million, compared to the open-access situation in 1995. Further increase of the resource rent is possible if a more selective trawl is introduced and enforced. The trawl fishery is compared with a minor in-shore creel fishery, which differs in exploitation pattern, fuel consumption, and impact on the benthic flora and fauna. A qualitative discussion on the two fisheries is carried out and a comparison of the economic performance is presented.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,