Econometric Measurement of Fishing Capacity and Capacity Utilization:
This project is aimed at developing a capacity measurement methodology that
will be useful for management purposes. The impetus for this research is the
recent trend toward frontier-based capacity measurement, in which capacity
estimates embody the notion that vessels could increase their efficiency to the
highest levels exhibited by similar vessels.
The primary limitation of much of the recent work utilizing the frontier is
that inappropriate conclusions may be drawn regarding potential output increases
if comparisons are made among observations generated under different regulatory,
environmental, and resource conditions that are not independently identified.
Because data on these factors is typically unavailable, and the potential
problems due to its absence may be exacerbated in frontier models, we propose an
alternative, non-frontier methodology that is affected to a lesser degree when
such information is absent. Our approach uses a multi-output, multi-input
transformation function within a standard econometric model. We also compute
measures of CU that represent the amount by which capacity is utilized relative
to that which would occur in the absence of a race for fish, using information
from before and after property rights were present in the fishery under study.
We also compute capacity and CU measures under various hypothetical increases in
season length. This work is being conducted jointly with Catherine Morrison Paul
at the University of California, Davis. For more information or to comment on
this project, contact ron.felthoven@noaa.gov .
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