Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
MARITIME HEALTH
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Transition from open access to quota based fishery management regimes in Alaska increased the safety of operations
Steven E. Hughes, Christopher Woodley
Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
MARITIME HEALTH
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Abstract
During the past 12 years fishery managers responsible for federal fisheries off
Alaska have developed and implemented three new fishery management limited
access/quota share programs in place of traditional open access management. The three
limited access programs are unique but each provides for the allocation of quota shares
to individual participants in the halibut and sablefish longline fishery, in the Bering Sea
pollock trawl fishery and in the Bering Sea king and Tanner crab fishery, respectively.
New management programs are briefly described and contrasted with traditional
management. For each of the three fisheries, management changes over time have
generated substantial changes in fishing fleets, their operations, crew employment,
economics and safety records. Under quota share management, fleet consolidations have
occurred, particularly in the more over capitalized fisheries. The intense speed and
inflexible timing associated with open access fisheries have greatly lessened as have the
risk taking and incentives to maximize fishing power. Active vessel economic viability has strengthened due to a combination of increased efficiency, higher product yields,
reduced costs, greater crew stability and safer operations.
Abstract
During the past 12 years fishery managers responsible for federal fisheries off
Alaska have developed and implemented three new fishery management limited
access/quota share programs in place of traditional open access management. The three
limited access programs are unique but each provides for the allocation of quota shares
to individual participants in the halibut and sablefish longline fishery, in the Bering Sea
pollock trawl fishery and in the Bering Sea king and Tanner crab fishery, respectively.
New management programs are briefly described and contrasted with traditional
management. For each of the three fisheries, management changes over time have
generated substantial changes in fishing fleets, their operations, crew employment,
economics and safety records. Under quota share management, fleet consolidations have
occurred, particularly in the more over capitalized fisheries. The intense speed and
inflexible timing associated with open access fisheries have greatly lessened as have the
risk taking and incentives to maximize fishing power. Active vessel economic viability has strengthened due to a combination of increased efficiency, higher product yields,
reduced costs, greater crew stability and safer operations.
Keywords
Alaska fishery management; transition; open access management; limited access/quota share based management; commercial fishing impacts
Title
Transition from open access to quota based fishery management regimes in Alaska increased the safety of operations
Journal
International Maritime Health
Issue
Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
Pages
33-45
Published online
2010-03-26
Page views
660
Article views/downloads
1874
Bibliographic record
IMH 2007;58(1-4):33-45.
Keywords
Alaska fishery management
transition
open access management
limited access/quota share based management
commercial fishing impacts
Authors
Steven E. Hughes
Christopher Woodley