A review and model of the quota management system with reference to New Zealand's snapper fishery zone SNA1: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (Honours) at Lincoln University

Abstract

New Zealand's fisheries were delicenced in 1963. Subsequent investment has rapidly developed the industry to a billion dollar a year export earner. However, by the 1980s many inshore fisheries had been seriously overharvested. In 1983 the government introduced a quota management system (QMS), based on the biological concept of maximum sustainable yield (MSY), for 26 fish species. It was intended that this system of "private property rights" would enable depleted fish stocks to rebuild by removing excessive fishing effort from the industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the success of the QMS, and the appropriateness of the MSY harvest strategy, using snapper fishery area SNAl as a case study. The overall success of the QMS was assessed through a literature review of the biological. economic and social outcomes of the system to date. The appropriateness of MSY harvest was assessed by constructing a fishery model that was used to compare MSY harvest against two alternative harvest strategies (optimal sustainable yield and unregulated yield).