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Document Type
Book Chapter
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Editors
Pascoe, S.; Gréboval, D. (eds.)
Publication Date
2003
Book Title
Measuring Capacity in Fisheries
Publisher
Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations
City
Rome
Series
FAO FISHERIES TECHNICAL PAPER 445
Abstract
Excess capacity is globally recognized by resource managers as a major problem for fisheries. Yet, the concept of capacity remains vague, ill-defined, and often ambiguous. Presently, measuring capacity and capacity utilization in fisheries has become more important or of greater public concern than ever because of various national and international agreements or policies to reduce capacity in fisheries throughout the world. In this study, we propose data envelopment analysis (DEA) as one method that may be used to calculate a production-oriented measure of capacity. We conclude that although the DEA approach is limited and does not provide measures of capacity and CU consistent with the long-run optimum scale of operation, it can provide information useful to resource managers concerned with downsizing fleets or matching capacity to resource levels. We illustrate the approach by examining the capacity of ten sea scallop vessels operating between 1987 and 1990. We conclude that the ten vessels had the capability to harvest considerably more than they actually did, and the fleet should be reduced by 68 percent or more if managers desire to match capacity to a recommended sustainable yield of 20 million pounds
ISBN
92-5-104974-2
Recommended Citation
Kirkley, James E.; Fare, Rolf; Grosskopf, Shawna; McConnell, Kenneth; Squires, Dale E.; and Strand, Ivar, "Assessing Capacity And Capacity Utilization In Fisheries When Data Are Limited" (2003). VIMS Books and Book Chapters. 65.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsbooks/65
