Optimal Harvesting Considering Biological and Economic Objectives

Abstract:

Most examinations of optimal harvesting policies have considered only biological objectives, yet it is increasingly recognized that a primary objective of many fisheries is economic profitability. Using Bayesian risk analysis, we compare policies that combine fish harvesting, the revenue brought in by fish sales, the cost of harvesting and processing, and processing and fishing capacity to find policies that maximize biological yield and economic profit to the processing and harvesting sectors for a major Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska. We show that although average catch is maximized by a fixed escapement policy, total revenue is maximized by a policy that includes some harvesting at stock sizes below that required to produce maximum average catch. In addition, there is a wide range of policies that provide 90% of the maximum for any of the biological and economic objectives considered. Economic profitability is enhanced by limitations on processing and harvesting capacity.