The impact of aggregated and disaggregated fisheries production and licensed fishermen on fishing grounds footprint: A time series analysis

This study has examined the factors of fishing grounds footprint in Malaysia during 1961–2018, which has been used as the indicator of environmental degradation. The main contribution of this paper is that we have considered the role of aggregated and disaggregated fisheries production on pollution in the fishing industry. Another contribution of this study is that the environmental impact of activities of licensed fishermen has been examined. The results suggest that the total fisheries production and its components- capture fisheries production and aquaculture production generate an increase in fishing grounds footprint in Malaysia. The results suggest that an increase in total licensed fishermen facilitate an increase in fishing grounds footprint. There is mixed evidence on the impact of local fishermen on fishing footprint. The results indicate that an increase in foreign fishermen facilitate an increase in fishing grounds footprint. The results suggest mixed evidence for Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. •The factors of fishing grounds footprint are examined.•Aggregated and disaggregated fisheries production generate an increase in pollution.•Total licensed fishermen and foreign fishermen generate an increase in pollution.•There is a mixed evidence on the impact of local fishermen on pollution.