Increases in fishing effort in a limited entry fishery - the western rock lobster fishery 1963-1976

Abstract

Although the fishery for the western rock lobster Panulirus cygnus has been managed by limited entry policies since 1963, fishing effort has nevertheless increased within the limited entry framework. This increase is shown to be a result of the utilization of unused potential which existed in 1963. Existing and proposed management strategies are examined in the light of their effect on limiting the potential for further increases in fishing effort as well as their immediate impact on fishing effort levels