Authors: Hamel et al Presenter: John Stevenson An Economic Discussion of the Marine Sport Fisheries in Central and Lower Cook Inlet Authors: Hamel et al Presenter: John Stevenson

Context: Catch limits or (Total Allowable Catch) depends on the maximum sustainable yield, which is determined by gov’t scientists Of the TAC, managers allocate portion to commercial fisheries, and portion to recreational fisheries.

Context: Recreational fisheries receive significantly smaller allocation…highly controversial! All this happening against backdrop in environmental change that can drastically alter the TAC from year to year.

Questions Addressed: What is the economic benefit of the recreational sport fishery off the Kenai Peninsula?

Methods: Regional Impact Model Identified components of Cook Inlet sport fishing analysis (fig. 3)

Methods cont… Assumed Willingness to pay (aka demand) curve

Methods Cont… Assumed shift in demand curve caused by hypothesized reduction of catches

Data Collection Investigators conducted survey asking: What individuals about expenses incurred from a recreational fishing trip How decision to go on rec. fishing trip would be impacted by variables such as decreased catch rates Used Gov’t information to determine angler days

Results Findings for Expenses: Non AK residents ~ $294 p/day AK residents ~ $205 p/day Locals ~ $167 p/day Multiplied by angler days (minus locals), rec. fishing in region provides ~$37.4m in net benefits

Results cont… Also found that reduced catches would reduce demand for recreational fishing trips.

Results cont… Based on these findings, authors concluded: 10% decrease in catch rates would reduce net benefits by $5.7m 10% increase in catch rates would increase net benefits by $5.4m

Policy Implications None necessarily drawn by authors…but does raise questions about: Possible changes in allocation of catches between recreational vs. commercial fishers Would this provide incentives to increase overall fishing pressure by raising Total Allowable Catch?