An economic analysis of the Heterocarpus reedi and Cervimunida johni fisheries off northern-central Chile, from 1997 to 2000

The economic effects resulting from the diminishing catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in the nylon shrimp and squat lobster fishery off northern-central Chile from 1997 to 2000 were evaluated. A bio-technological simulation model was used that describes the physical and biological performance variables for the fishery. An economic submodel was incorporated to the original model in order to perform an integrated analysis of the crustacean fishery, including the catch and processing sub-sectors. The economic results, in conjunction with the data on catch and stock size, explained this fishery's dynamic off northern-central Chile during the study period. The total catch increased 21% between 1997 and 2000 and the final production increased 24%, but the quasi rent of the variable costs increased only 11%. The same period saw costs associated with fishing trips increase 117% and the total production cost increased 93%. The study results showed that part of the profits were lost due to the decreased biomass of both resources and the excessive increase in the average production costs, which were explained by the increased fishing trip costs. In order to obtain a better representation of the fishery's performance, economic references points should be incorporated to complement the traditional biological (biomass) and fishery (CPUE, catches) proxies.Original Abstract: Se analizo el efecto economico debido a la disminucion de la captura por unidad de esfuerzo (CPUE) en la pesqueria de camaron nailon y langostino amarillo en la zona norte y central de Chile durante el periodo 1997-2000. Se utilizo un modelo de simulacion biologico-tecnologico que da cuenta de variables de desempeno fisicas y biologicas. A este modelo se le incorporo un submodelo economico para realizar un analisis integrado de la pesqueria de crustaceos que incluye el subsector de captura y procesamiento. Los resultados economicos obtenidos, sumados a los resultados de captura y de tamano del stock permiten explicar la dinamica de esta pesqueria en la zona centro-norte de Chile durante el periodo 1997-2000, donde la captura aumento en 21%, la produccion final aumento en 24%, pero la cuasi renta de los costos variables aumento solo 11%. En este mismo periodo los costos por marea incrementaron 117% y el costo total de produccion aumento 93%. Los resultados mostraron que parte del beneficio economico se pierde debido a la disminucion de la biomasa de ambos recursos y a un aumento excesivo en los costos me