An application of production theory to fishing effort standardization in the small-pelagics fishery in central Philippines

Standard fishing effort functions were estimated for vessels using small pelagic gear in Guimaras Strait, Philippines via the production function approach. The sample included both the artisanal and commercial sectors of the trawl, encircling gill net, Danish seine, and purse seine fleets. The drift net is purely artisanal. Variables having a positive impact on effort include tonnage, crew size, crewdays and fuel consumption, whereas the effects of distance from port and educational attainment of crew were varied. The standardized fishing effort allowed for comparison of the impact of various gears in the fishery. The fishing effort functions were useful in evaluating the impacts of alternative regulations or policies for reducing fishing intensity. For instance, if restrictions on gross tonnage or vessel capacity are implemented, the largest decrease in fishing effort would come from the commercial sector of the Danish seine and encircling gill net fleets. However, results indicated that these vessels can substitute fuel or crewdays for tonnage to maintain the same level of fishing effort.