Impact of a simultaneous reduction in fishing subsidies and introduction of efficient management of rents: the case of the Northwest Spanish fleet

Abstract

Subsidies to the fishing sector have long been criticized for fueling over-fishing, and a reduction in subsidies is currently on the agenda in the negotiations within theWorld Trade Organization (WTO). This article analyzes the role of subsidies and other management measures for Spain, one of the largest fishing nations within the EU. A static bio-economic model is used to analyze the effect of simultaneous elimination of subsidies and introduction of an economically efficient management system for the Northwest Spanish fleet. It is concluded that improvements in management would bring substantial rents to the industry, up to (sic) 164 million, irrespective of subsidy level, but also a reduction in fishing effort of almost 60%. Under a management scheme that maximizes economic rents, elimination of subsidies in the fishery would increase social welfare, induced by a decrease in the equilibrium fishing effort level. However, the impact of subsidies under this scheme is limited.

Keywords

Fisheries subsidies; fisheries management; bio-economic model

Published in

Aquatic Living Resources
2018, Volume: 31, article number: 1

SLU Authors

• Waldo, Staffan

  • Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG14 Life below water


UKÄ Subject classification

Economics


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2017041

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/93020