Economic Analysis of Protection of Essential Fish Habitat in Alaskan Fisheries: An Analysis of Research Needs

Excerpt from Draft Report

The objectives of this report are to identify the types of information necessary to evaluate the economic impacts of EFH protection, identify gaps in the knowledge and research methodologies necessary for this evaluation, and to discuss research topics relating to the economic evaluation of EFH protection. The report makes recommendations of projects that are likely to be useful and feasible given informational and budget constraints.

The report provides a general review of economic literature that pertains to EFH. It provides a discussion of the reasons for designating EFH and the issues associated with evaluating the economic impacts of EFH protection. Although there are a variety of non-fishing actions that may affect habitat, such as nutrient releases, recreation, shipping, exotic species and wetland conversion, the focus of this report is on EFH protection measures targeted at modifying fishing practices. This includes spatial controls on fishing, gear restrictions and other measures that regulate the activities of fishers with the intent of providing protection to EFH. (Click here for the Draft Report)

Source: In press; to be published as a NMFS Technical Memorandum.

For more information, please contact: Rob.Felthoven@noaa.gov