Capacity and Capacity Utilization in Fishing Industries

Abstract

Excess capacity of fishing fleets is one of the most pressing problems facing the world's fisheries and the sustainable harvesting of resource stocks. Considerable confusion persists over the definition and measurement of capacity and capacity utilization in fishing. Fishing capacity and capacity utilization, rather than capital (or effort) utilization, provide the appropriate framework. This paper provides both technological-economic and economic definitions of capacity and excess capacity in fishing and illustrates the technological-economic approach through a case study using Data Envelopment Analysis.

Source: Kirkley, J. and D. Squires. 1999. “Capacity and capacity utilization in fishing industries.” University of California, San Diego, Department of Economics Working Paper: 99/16.

For more information, please contact: Dale.Squires@noaa.gov