Effects of IFQ Management on Alaska Halibut Fishery

Abstract

In 1998, the University of Alaska Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) conducted two telephone surveys of Alaska halibut fishermen about the effects of Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) management of the Alaska halibut fishery. Funding for the surveys was provided by the Alaska Sea Grant College Program. There are 4 papers in this series covering study methodology, resource conservation, fishing safety, and unreported discards of halibut under IFQ management. Highlights: More than half of the respondents to both surveys answered "better" in response to the question "Compared with the old system, do you think that IFQ management is better, worse, or about the same for conservation of the halibut resource?" About one-quarter responded "about the same," while about 10% answered "worse." The great majority of halibut fishermen believe IFQs have made fishing for halibut safer. More than 85% of the respondents to both surveys answered "yes" to the question "Do you think IFQs have made fishing for halibut safer?" Responses were similar across vessel classes and 1997 harvest levels. Another question asked, "How much halibut do you think was caught and then discarded in 1997 without being sold or reported? Very little, some, or a lot?" Slightly more than half of halibut fishermen responded that "very little" halibut was caught and then discarded without being sold or reported, while about one-third answered "some" or "a lot." Respondents who gave positive responses about other effects of the IFQ program were much more likely to give a positive response about unreported discards.