Economics Program (EP)
The Economics Program collects and analyzes data and conducts economic research to better understand the value of living marine resources and how fisheries and other living marine resources in the Pacific Islands Region contribute to the economy. It also explores how the economy and fishers are affected by current fisheries regulations and how they could be affected by new ones.
Current Projects
The Hawaii Fisheries Input-Output (I/O) Model
The Hawaii Fisheries Input-Output (I/O) Model, used for estimating regulatory impact on the regional economy, was recently updated and used to analyze the temporary closure of the Hawaii swordfish fishery and its effects on the fisheries industry and other sectors in Hawaii's economy.
Fieldwork Research on a Cost-earnings Study of the NWHI Bottomfish Fleet
This study provides a better understanding of how the NWHI bottomfish fishery operates and how the fishing business contributes to fishers' livelihoods. It is the first update since an in-depth economic study of this fishery was conducted nearly a decade ago.
Ongoing Continuous Economic Data Collection Program
This program was successfully established in the Hawaii longline fishery and the NWHI bottomfish fishery through the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) Observer Program. In cooperation with fishermen, especially Hawaii longline fishermen, this program promises to be an efficient and cost-effective means for obtaining high-quality information on the costs associated with fishing.
Economic Valuation of Hawaii Fishing Tournaments
This project will determine the value of Hawaii Fishing Tournaments. A mail-out survey was conducted in 2004 following a pilot study conducted in 2003. The study received good cooperation from fishers and tournament organizations, and has collected 337 survey responses, which is about a 40% return rate. Currently, this project is building a database to support analysis of the survey data.
Study on Demand for Local Tuna versus Frozen, Imported Tuna
During FY2005, a study was conducted on imported frozen tunas treated with tasteless smoke and the impact of this product on the Hawaii fresh tuna market. The pilot study found that many supermarket chains sold imported tunas which could have been previously frozen and treated with tasteless smoke (primarily carbon monoxide). This imported tuna was sold under the name "ahi poke" (the same name used to label poke made from fresh, local tuna) and at a much lower price. Some consumers were unaware of the imported tunas. A draft report of the study is under preparation.
Spatial Modeling of the Tradeoff between Sea Turtle Take Reduction and Economic Returns to the Hawaii Longline Fishery
This study attempts to build a regulatory-impact analysis framework to be used as a decision support tool for Hawaii pelagic fishery management. Using a biological model of sea turtles and the pelagic fishery developed by PIFSC biologists Donald Kobayashi and Jeffrey Polovina, the study will develop a bio-economic model to examine possible economic impact(s) of different policies associated with reducing sea turtle interactions.
Study of Hawaii Fishing Technology and Fishing Capacity of the Hawaii Longline Fishery
This study attempts to assess technological changes in fishing and their affects on capacity of the Hawaii-based longline fleet. Fishing effort is traditionally measured in nominal terms, which usually cannot capture actual fishing power as enhanced by technological changes. This study aims to identify important elements in determining effective fishing effort and fishery productivity by examining enhancements associated with fishing technology or vessel and gear attributes. Research activities include (1) creating an inventory on all fishing technology changes of the Hawaii longline fleet during the past 20 years, and (2) conducting a person-to-person survey to investigate fishing technology changes in individual vessels, including the course of changes over time and associated costs.