Evaluating the TAC Policy in the Sandfish Stock Rebuilding Plan

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the TAC policy and to examine the effective annual TAC quota in the sandfish stock rebuilding plan using a bioeconomic modelling method. In the analysis, first, a sandfish bioeconomic model was developed by combining a sandfish stock population model and economic models by fishery and second, achieving stock rebuilding targets and changes of fishing revenues by the level of annual TAC quota were examined. Model results indicated that the TAC 1,500ton policy would have the greatest impact on the increase of sandfish stock biomass comparing to the status quo and other TAC policies. In addition, it was evaluated that the total fishing revenues of coastal gillnet and danish seine fisheries could be increased the most in the TAC 2,500ton policy. In both cases of TAC 3,500ton and 4,000ton, the fishing revenues of both fisheries were inversely reduced due to the decrease of catch by coastal gillnet and the decline of market prices by danish seine`s excessive catch. Furthermore, they would have a negative impact on sandfish stock biomass.