Title: SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF EXPANDED HABITAT PROTECTION IN PULLEY RIDGE, FLORIDA GULF COAST

Abstract: The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council designated Pulley Ridge as a HAPC in 2005. Although Pulley Ridge is in relatively intact ecological condition, its rarity and connectivity with the broader marine area lead agencies to believe that its protection is necessary. A small portion of the Pulley Ridge is banned for bottom trawling, but the agency is considering expanding its reach. The commercial fishers are extremely sensitive to new or additional management actions as some of them are still recovering from the Florida Keys sanctuary regulations of the 1990s. This paper is an attempt to understand how the additional HAPC designations may influence commercial fishers by analyzing their perceptions towards the new regulation, current harvests, and their economic connections with different coastal zones of the Florida Gulf coast. A survey of 50 commercial fishers is conducted. The secondary data on species-wise and vessel-wise catches, and their flow to various port destinations are analyzed. The economic impacts that the reductions in fish catch in the Pulley Ridge have on various economic sectors of the region are also analyzed using a regional input-output model. The results indicate that the HAPC expansion in Pulley Ridge will have some negative impacts on a couple of fishing destinations in the Florida Gulf coast. However, the real management challenge emanates from the negative experience the stakeholders suffered during the past regulations. Efforts toward educating them about the long-term benefits of the current HAPC is therefore essential.

Authors: Bhat MG, Seeteram N, Pierce B, Die D

Presentation: Oral

Session: 15

Date: 06/23/16

Time: 16:45

Location: 317 A/B

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