Developing socioeconomic indicators for Atlantic Billfish Management Ayeisha A. Brinson and David J. Die

Managing marine resources is a contentious and complicated process. There are various users who competing objectives, especially in the case of artisanal and recreational fisheries management. Managers must consider not only the biological sustainability of the resources, but account for the socioeconomic objectives of the fishery users. In-person surveys were implemented with artisanal fishers in Ghana and Venezuela and with recreational charter boat anglers in Senegal and South Florida. Data from the survey were used to compile financial performance indicators that describe the sustainability of the operations. In addition social and resource management perception data were collected in each location. The results of the study indicate that all fleets exhibit positive profit levels. Although fishers in the studies perceived a declining billfish resource, they were largely unwilling to accept management measures to improve the resource. If management measures were to be considered for the artisanal fleet, managers should simultaneously introduce mechanisms to improve the technological storage capacity of harvested fish and training on saving schemes for artisanal fishers. Managers should also monitor the number of vessels and their effort in recreational fleets. Performance indicators such as these are applicable and appropriate for quantitatively assessing the profitability of fishing fleets.