Browsing by Author "Copes, Parzival"

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The Backward-Bending Supply Curve of the Fishing Industry
(2007) Copes, Parzival
"Proceeding from an article by Gordon, published in 1954, the substance of an economic theory of the fisheries has emerged from the writings of a number of economists. The theory has emphasized the common- property nature of the fishery resource, generally leading to an 'over-exploitation' that results in dissipation of the rent that the resource could yield."
Coastal Resources for Whom?
(1999) Copes, Parzival
"As powerful forces seek to industrialize and privatize the worldÃ¢Â?Â?s fish resources, it is time to counter the moves to dispossess coastal fisherfolk."
Factor Rents, Sole Ownership, and the Optimum Level of Fisheries Exploitation
(1972) Copes, Parzival
"In the literature of fisheries economics there is a noticeable preoccupation with the phenomenon of resource rent dissipation. The common property nature of most fishery resources-with the attendant free entry of labour and capital-gives rise to 'problems' of 'overfishing'. If at any given level of fishing effort the resource should yield a rent to the marginal operator, additional factor inputs of labour and capital will be attracted that will depress the catch per unit of effort and lower returns to all operators. This process will continue until the revenue per unit of fishing effort is reduced to the level of its marginal opportunity cost. Thus the rent attributable to the resource, that formerly accounted for the excess of revenue over marginal opportunity cost, is eliminated."
Fisheries Exploitation Off Canada's West Coast: The Effects of National Policy
(1981) Copes, Parzival
"Over the past three decades there has been a manifold increase in the exploitation efforts applied to the world's marine fish stocks. By the end of the 1960s there were clear signs of biological overfishing for many of the more desirable and accessible stocks; annual catches were declining despite increasing fishing efforts. Recognition of this irrational use of the world's fish resources led to attempts at corrective action in two spheres. Domestically, several countries introduced management measures that regulated fishing efforts, with the aim both of conserving stocks and of improving economic returns to the fishing industry."
The Profits of Justice: Restoring Aboriginal River Fisheries in British Columbia
(1995) Copes, Parzival
"This paper explores the resource management options and equity implications of the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy, involving a shift designed to restore in part the traditional community-based aboriginal salmon fisheries of the Fraser and Skeena River systems, in which most of the province's salmon originate. It arrives at the important conclusion that, if appropriately managed, such river fisheries could contribute greatly to increased stock productivity, because of their superior capacity to fish selectively and live-release fish. This could help greatly to fine-tune the spawning escapement of hundreds of unique breeding stocks in the pursuit of optimal salmon reproduction, leading to long run catch maximization. The potential is there for a considerably larger sustainable salmon fishery. This might allow for a substantial restoration of aboriginal fishing rights without necessarily reducing -- and possibly increasing -- the long run commercial saltwater catch. Conceding justice to aboriginal peoples may thus be rewarded with profits to many losses to none."
Reallocating a Regional Fishery Resource: Restoring Aboriginal Fisheries on the Upper Skeena, British Columbia
(1993) Copes, Parzival
"The discussion in this paper will focus on two major considerations that need to be addressed In assessing the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en claim. One is the question of equity. This involves exploration of the historical basis for the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en claim to a larger share of the Skeena salmon resource than is currently available to them. It also concerns the implications of any reallocation of current harvest entitlements, with respect to claims for compensation by other user groups which may be disadvantaged by the reallocation. What is 'equitable,' of course, in the final analysis is a matter of subjective judgment. However, given that there are some widely held common notions of equity, the facts of the case may be left to speak for themselves. "The other major consideration to be explored is that of the overall economic consequences of a reallocation in favor of the Gitksan-Wet'suwet'en. Much will depend on the nature of the management regime that will be developed in implementing the reallocation. The paper will explore opportunities to use the implied changes in harvesting patterns to improve sustainable catches and net returns. I have neither the extensive data base nor the time and resources necessary to carry out an exhaustive cost-benefit analysis that would be required for refined estimates. However, enough general information is available on the fishery to allow some general conclusions to be drawn on the basis of informed speculation."
Social Impacts of Fisheries Management Regimes Based on Individual Quotas
(1996) Copes, Parzival
"The objective of this paper is to present an analytical description and classification of observable impacts that individual quota (IQ) regimes may have on social conditions affecting fishers and fishing communities. It should be stressed that no attempt will be made to evaluate empirically the various social impacts of IQ regimes, much as such a larger task may be of value for public policy purposes. Rather, the aim is to develop through illustration and a priori reasoning an appreciation for the scope and variety of these impacts, as well as an understanding of the nature of their causes and effects. This should help to provide a framework for measurement of these impacts, and for in-depth exploration of their sources and their consequences."