Fisheries: A Missing Link in Greenhouse Gas Emission Policies in South Korea

Kyumin Kim,Do-Hoon Kim,Yeonghye Kim

doi:10.3390/su13115858

Abstract

Recent studies demonstrate that fisheries are massive contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The average Korean fishing vessel is old, fuel-inefficient, and creates a large volume of emissions. Yet, there is little research on how to address the GHG emissions in Korean fisheries. This study estimated the change in GHG emissions and emission costs at different levels of fishing operations using a steady-state bioeconomic model based on the case of the Anchovy Tow Net Fishery (ATNF) and the Large Purse Seine Fishery (LPSF). We conclude that reducing the fishing efforts of the ATNF and LPSF by 37% and 8% respectively would not only eliminate negative externalities on the anchovy and mackerel stock respectively, but also mitigate emissions and emission costs in the fishing industry. To limit emissions, we propose that the Korean government reduce fishing efforts through a vessel-buyback program and set an annual catch limit. Alternatively, the government should provide loans for modernizing old fishing vessels or a subsidy for installing emission abatement equipment to reduce the excessive emissions from Korean fisheries.

Highlights

A significant amount of scientific evidence indicates that human activity—the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation for urbanization and agricultural cultivation—has resulted in increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations
Our results have implications for several important policy questions: How can we reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in fisheries? To what extent can we reduce emissions and emission costs by reducing fishing effort? How do these actions affect fishing rent? In conclusion, we suggest policy measures to reduce emissions and emission costs for the Anchovy Tow Net Fishery (ATNF) and Large Purse Seine Fishery (LPSF)
Using the annual production and fishing effort data, we estimated the parameters in Equation (6)

Summary

Introduction

A significant amount of scientific evidence indicates that human activity—the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation for urbanization and agricultural cultivation—has resulted in increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The accumulation of CO2 and other heat-trapping gases has accelerated climate change, resulting in various adverse effects on ecosystems and socio-economic activities [1,2]. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol set specific goals for the most developed countries to moderate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to mitigate climate change [1]. In 2015, 195 UN member nations ratified the Paris Agreement to limit these countries’ GHG emissions. Around 200 countries, whose emissions account for 87% of annual global emissions, have been complying with this agreement through local and national policies [3]. Preliminary studies by Parker et al [4] estimated that GHG emissions of global fisheries increased by 28% from 1990 to 2011. Their work determined that 179 million tons of CO2 eq emissions resulted from 40 billion liters of fossil fuel consumption by fisheries

Methods

Results

Conclusion