An integrated economic analysis of alternative bycatch, commercial, and recreational policies for the recovery of Gulf of Mexico red snapper /
The red snapper fishery is overfished due to direct and indirect fishing pressure. This dissertation explores management policies for both shrimp and red snapper fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. First, this dissertation evaluates two new policies to reduce bycatch by reducing the effort levels of sh...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=726446411&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The red snapper fishery is overfished due to direct and indirect fishing pressure. This dissertation explores management policies for both shrimp and red snapper fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. First, this dissertation evaluates two new policies to reduce bycatch by reducing the effort levels of shrimp vessels: fractional license (FL) and fractional gear (FG). Second, the total allowable catch (TAC) imposed on both the commercial and recreational red snapper fishermen is considered. Both the theoretical basis and an empirical application for FL and FG are provided in this dissertation. A simulation model is used to analyze FL and FG and to compare them with the current regulatory policy requiring shrimp vessels to use the bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) to rebuild red snapper stocks. The new programs represent an approach to effort reduction and the related problem of bycatch. Results indicate the shrimp fishermen are better off under a FL or FG program when compared to the current policy. However, when considering red snapper stock improvement, it requires a 40 percent reduction in licenses and almost a 50 percent reduction in gear to make these programs as beneficial as BRDs. To evaluate the TAC imposed on both the commercial and recreational red snapper fishermen, a link between a simulation model and a DP model is developed to take advantage of the strengths of both approaches. A theoretical approach is presented and applied to the policies of the red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. The optimal policies identified by the dynamic programming (DP) model are evaluated using the simulation model. The results find that first, preferred policy outcomes can be achieved if decision making recognizes that the conditions will change over time and policies will respond to those changes. Second, our model reinforces the standard economic advice that economic surplus is maximized if resources are allocated to those users who value them most. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Agricultural Economics". |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 166 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-139). |