Economic and Operational Characteristics of the Hawaii-Based Longline Fleet in 2000

摘要

The economic impact of state and federal regulations on commercial fishermen is playing an increasing role in fisheries management. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and Executive Order 12866 require the regional fishery management councils to consider potential economic impacts of future regulations in their planning efforts. In 1993 a Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research/National Marine Fisheries Service study documented the cost/earnings of the fleet. The fleet is now, however, operating under considerably different conditions than in the early 1990s primarily because of protected species issues. The primary objective of this study is to provide baseline economic information associated with operating a pelagic longline vessel in Hawaii in 2000. Additional objectives include documenting physical and operational characteristics of vessels, economic impacts of the most recent regulations, fishermens opinions on the status of the fishery, and basic demographics of the fleet. Operational and vessel costs were collected by personal interviews with vessel owners, captains, and crew. Revenue information was obtained from the Hawaii Department of Aquatic Resources commercial catch reports. It was estimated that swordfish and tuna vessels earned a net return of $27,484 and $55,058, respectively, in 2000. Among the tuna vessels, the small vessels (<56 ft) were the most profitable. These vessels had higher gross revenues and, consequently, higher labor costs but lower fixed and variable costs. Large swordfish vessels (>74 ft) were more profitable than smaller swordfish vessels, which is likely due to higher gross revenues.