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An Economic Discussion of the Marine Sport Fisheries in Central and Lower Cook Inlet. Authors: Hamel et al Presenter: John Stevenson. Context:. Catch limits or (Total Allowable Catch) depends on the maximum sustainable yield , which is determined by gov’t scientists
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An Economic Discussion of the Marine Sport Fisheries in Central and Lower Cook Inlet Authors: Hamel et al Presenter: John Stevenson
Context: • Catch limits or (Total Allowable Catch) depends on the maximum sustainable yield, which is determined by gov’t scientists • Of the TAC, managers allocate portion to commercial fisheries, and portion to recreational fisheries.
Context: • Recreational fisheries receive significantly smaller allocation…highly controversial! • All this happening against backdrop in environmental change that can drastically alter the TAC from year to year.
Questions Addressed: • What is the economic benefit of the recreational sport fishery off the Kenai Peninsula?
Methods: • Regional Impact Model • Identified components of Cook Inlet sport fishing analysis (fig. 3)
Methods cont… Assumed Willingness to pay (aka demand) curve
Methods Cont… • Assumed shift in demand curve caused by hypothesized reduction of catches
Data Collection • Investigators conducted survey asking: • What individuals about expenses incurred from a recreational fishing trip • How decision to go on rec. fishing trip would be impacted by variables such as decreased catch rates • Used Gov’t information to determine angler days
Results • Findings for Expenses: • Non AK residents ~ $294 p/day • AK residents ~ $205 p/day • Locals ~ $167 p/day • Multiplied by angler days (minus locals), rec. fishing in region provides ~$37.4m in net benefits
Results cont… • Also found that reduced catches would reduce demand for recreational fishing trips.
Results cont… • Based on these findings, authors concluded: • 10% decrease in catch rates would reduce net benefits by $5.7m • 10% increase in catch rates would increase net benefits by $5.4m
Policy Implications • None necessarily drawn by authors…but does raise questions about: • Possible changes in allocation of catches between recreational vs. commercial fishers • Would this provide incentives to increase overall fishing pressure by raising Total Allowable Catch?