Enclosing the Fisheries: People, Places, and Power

Attitudes, Perceptions, and Adaptations of New Zealand Commercial Fishermen during 20 Years of Individual Transferable Quotas

Christopher M. Dewees

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874059.ch3

Abstract.—Since 1986, New Zealand has implemented individual transferable quotas in nearly all its commercial fisheries under its quota management system. New Zealand was among the first to pioneer this market-based approach to fisheries management. This management revolution came about in response to changes in national economic policies, economic and inshore fisheries crises, and a desire to develop valuable deepwater fisheries. After 20 years, resource sustainability, maximizing export values, and economic efficiency continue to be primary goals. The fisheries quota management system appears quite compatible with current market-based economic policies of the New Zealand government. This chapter summarizes some of the key findings of a nearly 20-year longitudinal (1987, 1995, 2005) study of a sample of Auckland region fishermen and fishing businesses. The purpose is to learn how fisheries participants respond under this market-based fishery management system. I focus on the perceptions, attitudes, and actions of these original fishery participants over the 20-year study period. In addition, I present the findings of interviews in 2006 with new entrants in the Nelson region. While the original quota management system participants were gifted with quota shares in 1986 based on their catch history, new entrants have to come up with enough capital and knowledge to enter and compete. I wanted to find out about the issues facing new entrants. I conclude by discussing the results and describing a few key lessons from New Zealand’s experience. Hopefully, these lessons will be useful to others designing limited access privileges in fisheries elsewhere.