Micro-economic drivers of profitability in an ITQ-managed fishery: An analysis of the Queensland Coral Reef Fin-Fish Fishery

Abstract

a b s t r a c tAn economic survey of the commercial operators currently active in the Queensland Coral Reef Fin-Fish Fishery has been carried out, as part of a research project aimed at evaluating alternative management options for this fishery. This paper presents the background analysis used as a basis to develop the sampling design for this survey. The background analysis focuses on activity patterns of the fleet based on effort and catch information, as well as patterns of quota ownership. Based on this information, a fishing business profile describing the micro-economic structure of fishing operations is developed. This profile, in conjunction with the qualitative information gained in undertaking the economic surveys, allows preliminary understanding of the key drivers of profitability in the CRFFF, and possible impacts of external factors on fishing operations.Crown

Spatial, Temporal, and Biological Characteristics of a Nearshore Coral Reef Fishery in the Northern Mariana Islands

“…), gear restrictions and modifications, or both (McClanahan and Hicks ), implemented while attempting to minimize the impact to local economies (Johnson and Saunders ; Thebaud et al. ), all with varying degrees of success (Day and Dobbs ; Edgar et al. ).…”

Evidence of package trading in a mature multi-species ITQ market

“…As the name suggests other species incorporates a number of (approximately 154) reef fish species, other than coral trout and red throat emperor, however only a relatively small proportion of these are actively targeted by the commercial fishery [10]. The CRFFF is heterogeneous in the spatial distribution of species exploited, their value, and the scale and setup of the vessels that target them [11]. The commercial fishery ranges from Cape York (10141 0 S) at the north of the Great Barrier Reef, to Bundaberg (24130 0 S) in the south.…”

“…Landings cannot be balanced against quota retrospectively so sufficient quota must held in a quota account at the time of landing. A more comprehensive description of the quota system and the fishery in general can be found in Thébaud et al [11]. The Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (QDAFF) keep records of all temporary and permanent quota transactions that take place in the CRFFF.…”

Effectiveness of harvest strategies in achieving multiple management objectives in a multispecies fishery

“…More recently, the need to consider governance and social objectives alongside ecological and economic objectives in fisheries management has gained greater recognition (Stephenson et al 2017). While enhancing tradeable use rights (such as through individual transferable quotas (ITQs)) has been found to improve profitability in many fisheries (Dupont et al 2005;Fox et al 2006;Thébaud et al 2014), several studies have questioned the social implications of such measures (McCay 1995;Olson 2011;McCay 2016). For example, rights-based measures have been actively resisted by groups opposed to the 'privatisation' of public resources (Smith and Wilen 2002), while the potential negative implications of fleet reduction through autonomous adjustment on employment in coastal communities have stalled the implementation of management strategies aimed at improving economic efficiency in some cases (Khalilian et al 2010).…”