Property Rights in Atlantic HMS Management
By P. Scida, C. Rogers, and R. Lent
ABSTRACT
While an individual quota (ITQ) system has been in place in the Atlantic bluefin tuna purse seine fishery for nearly 20 years (expanded to all tunas in 1994), property rights based management has been the exception rather than the rule in Atlantic HMS fisheries. Indeed, it was only last year that NMFS implemented limited access (permits transferable subject to upgrading restrictions) in the major commercial fishery for Atlantic HMS: the pelagic longline fishery. There has been some interest in establishing limited access in the bluefin tuna handgear category, called the "General category." This paper investigates and analyzes several limited access alternatives, including ITQs, for the General category, using a methodology similar to that used by Federal agencies to evaluate the impacts of proposed management measures in the United States. While the General category is a commercial fishery, in that vessels obtain commercial permits and landings are sold, it is characterized by many "recreational" - type fishermen that have full-time employment outside the fishing industry and fish for bluefin more for sport than to make a living. The limited access scenario that may minimize negative impacts on fishery participants, and which is most suitable to the unique nature of the fishery, is one whose objective is to maintain high levels of participation in the fishery, while ensuring that the commercial fishermen most dependent on the resource are not forced out due to "recreationalization" or gentrification of the fishery.
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