The First Year of the Alaska IFQ Program: Survey Reports

Abstract

These three reports present the results of a mail survey conducted in the spring of 1996 by the University of Alaska Anchorage Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). The purpose of the surveys was to gather information on changes during the first year of the Individual Fishing Quota program. The survey was funded by the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The report represents a start towards understanding the effects of the IFQ program. More detailed research over a period of years will be needed before the full effects of the program can be understood. The first report details findings from surveys of registered buyers of halibut and sablefish. Major findings include variation in effects on fish processing regardless of the size of the operation. The second report details findings from surveys of halibut quota shareholders. Major findings include the information that IFQ holders were choosing to fish together with more than one IFQ holder on board a fishing vessel. The third report details findings from surveys of sablefish quota shareholders. Again, the findings indicate that IFQ holders were choosing to fish together with more than one IFQ holder on board a fishing vessel.