Quantitative Estimates of Fishing Capacity, Capacity Utilization, and Fishery Utilization for Alaskan Commercial Fisheries, 2001

Excerpt from Introduction

The goal of this report is to provide measures of what could be caught by the existing fleet of vessels that operate in federally managed Alaskan fisheries if they were allowed to fish for longer periods of time during the year (under normal operating conditions). Current regulations directly or indirectly limit the amount of time (and often, when and where) catcher vessels and catcher-processors may fish, which often precludes vessels from operating at their full, productive capacity. Thus, there may be more investment in the fishery than that which maximizes the net benefits to the nation. A first step toward addressing this issue is to compare existing capacity to actual catch. A significant difference between the two may signal the need for implementing measures to diminish or eliminate the incentives for, and presence of, excess capacity. (Click here for the paper)

Source: Felthoven, R.G., Hiatt, T., and J.M. Terry. 2002. “Quantitative estimates of fishing capacity, capacity utilization, and fishery utilization for Alaskan commercial fisheries, 2001.” National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

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