Impacts of Rationalization on Exposure to High Winds in Alaska's Crab Fisheries. Issue 4 (2nd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petesch, Tess; Pfeiffer, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Journal of agromedicine. Volume 24:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 364
• Page End: 373
• Publication Date: 2019-10-02
• Subjects: Safety -- risk -- weather -- fisheries management -- crab rationalization; Agriculture -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Agricultural laborers -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2019.1646683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-924X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives : Safety at sea is an often overlooked aspect of well-being that fisheries management actions can affect, even when management actions are not intended to affect safety. Catch shares management has been associated with longer fishing seasons and a decline in the intensity of competition among fishers. This study assesses changes in exposure of Alaska's commercial crab fisheries to relatively high-risk weather conditions after rationalization, or catch shares management, was implemented. Methods : We compare the rates of fishing in high-wind conditions in the Bristol Bay red king and the Bering Sea snow/tanner crab fisheries pre- and post-rationalization. We also compare results to a portion of the crab fishery that did not undergo the same change in management. Results : The rate of high wind fishing in the snow/tanner crab fishery fell post-rationalization, but increased in the red king crab fishery. Conclusion : When the red king and snow/tanner crab fisheries are considered together, rationalization led to longer seasons and improved flexibility to choose when to fish according to weather conditions. The snow crab fishery experienced a marked decline in higher-risk fishing after rationalization. Results are contrary to expectations for the king crab fisherybecause the flexibility in trip timing provided by the program produced a shift in their season toward winter months when average wind speeds are higher.