ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE MAIN POLICY ALTERNATIVES FOR CONTROLLING FISHING EFFORT

Discussion of the need for economic rationalization has led to increasing interest in alternative strategies to control fishing effort in efficient ways. Three basic alternatives are considered: taxation, control of fishing inputs ('limited entry'), and direct limitation of output through individual fisherman quotas. Each is analyzed in terms of specified elements of economic efficiency, distribution effects, freedom to choose fishing methods and strategies, and administration feasibility. It is noted that in practice all would be used in combination with other direct measures to assure flexible control over fishing mortality. -from Author