http://hdl.handle.net/1957/17667 2013-05-22T22:18:06Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/35741 Multiobjective model of the Pacific whiting fishery in the United States Enríquez Andrade, Roberto R. Pacific whiting (Merluccius productus) is commercially and ecologically one of the most important fishery resources in the Pacific coast of the United States. The fishery is currently going through a period of rapid and profound transformation that could cause a substantial redistribution of benefits among domestic users. Benefits from the Pacific whiting fishery consist of conflicting biological, social, economic and regional objectives. A major management issue is the problem of resource allocation between the domestic offshore and shore-based fleets. Economic analysis of fishery policy based on the single objective of maximizing present value of net revenues (PVNR) fails to realistically confront the Pacific whiting fishery management problem. This work proposes the use of the less restrictive concept of Pareto optimality as a criterion for efficiency in the fishery. The main objective of this dissertation is to develop a multiobjective bioeconomic policy model of the Pacific whiting fishery in the United States. The purpose of the model is to analyze the implications (trade-offs) of resource allocation alternatives on the level of three policy objectives PVNR, production, and female spawning biomass. Pareto optimal solutions for the three policy objectives were generated under various specifications of the model by means of generating techniques. Three policy instruments were considered: harvest quotas, fleet/processing capacity limits, and allocation between the shore-based and offshore fisheries. Results were presented in the form of trade-off curves. The analysis suggests that policy objectives in the case of Pacific whiting are non-complementary. Instead of a unique "optimal" policy solution the Pacific whiting fishery policy problem possesses an infinite number of [Pareto] "optimal" policy solutions. The principal characteristic of Pareto optimal solutions is that in moving from one to another, the objectives must be traded-off among each other. In spite of the uncertainties regarding the dynamics of the Pacific whiting fishery, the preliminary nature of the data and the simplistic specification of the model, the analysis in this work demonstrates the potential benefits of vector optimization for fishery policy development and analysis. Graduation date: 1993 1992-08-10T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/30334 Economic feasibility of segregating grain by protein concentration while harvesting Martin, Charles T. (Charles Tyler) Price premiums and discounts are currently paid for various classes of wheat in the US marketplace. These premiums and the known heterogeneity of grain protein across landscapes beg the question of whether grain could be separated on the farm to maximize revenues. Theoretically, the concavity or convexity of a price function defines if an opportunity to segregate grain exists. Although this is true, prices in the market place are paid in stepped increments, which result in unique revenue maximizing solutions. This study was conducted to determine the economic feasibility of segregating wheat by protein content on the combine harvester during harvest. Both web-based and spreadsheet calculators were built to predict the best point in which to segregate a crop at, as well as define the protein level and quantity of each segregated volume of grain. The costs of segregation vary by operation, but fixed, variable, and opportunity costs are estimated to total $0.1739 bu⁻¹ if segregation is used every year. Revenue gains varied with the price schedule, field mean protein value, and the standard deviation of protein. Revenue gains increased in proportion to the size of a price step in a price schedule. Soft white winter wheat showed the greatest potential for segregation; however, on average yearly expected premiums are less than $.05 bu⁻¹, well below total variable costs. Price schedules occur which allow for profits of over $1.00 bu⁻¹ from segregation, although these are not the norm. Historically, on-combine grain segregation would not be economically feasible for the average producer. However, under certain supply and demand conditions, premiums occur that would make on-combine grain segregation profitable. Individuals will have to evaluate the feasibility on a case-by-case basis. Graduation date: 2013 2012-06-14T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/27276 Estimation of small scale fishery production relationships : the case of the Florida reef fishery Cerda, Rene This study develops an improved method for understanding economic production relationships in small scale fisheries. This method postulates that gross revenue is a function of physical input quantities, and is based upon the transcendental logarithmic function to derive factor share equations for each of the five inputs in the model. The translog form was selected because of its flexibility, non-constant elasticity of substitution, and input interaction to give a more realistic representation of production relationships in small scale fisheries. The model was tested using cross-sectional data from a cost and earning survey on the Florida reef fishery. The joint generalized least squares procedure for seemingly uncorrelated equations was used for the parameters estimation. A total of 68 observations were used. The estimation results were not very encouraging because of the poor response of the model. This may in part be attributable to inconsistencies shown by the data. The translog gross revenue function, was also estimated. The result showed good response. However, the model was characterized by multicollinearity and sensitivity of parameters to variable substitution. Similar results and characteristics were obtained when the Cobb- Douglas function was estimated. These results were also influenced by the size and the characteristics of the data set. The method presented here for estimating economic production relationships in small scale fisheries is attractive because (1) factor share and output elasticities are a function of the inputs and (2) it allows varying the inputs in bundles instead of individually, which is more realistic for policy analysis. Further testing of this model is encouraged using a larger and more accurate data set. Graduation date: 1987 1986-07-31T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1957/27092 Some economic considerations in Dungeness crab marketing Wix, John Robert The purpose of this study is to describe Dungeness crab marketing from the ocean floor to the ultimate consumer; to identify relations among the Oregon Dungeness crab industry, the Pacific Coast Dungeness crab industry, and the Alaska King crab industry; and to specify the relationships between fishermen's prices for Dungeness crab and levels of Oregon production1 levels of total U.S. Dungeness crab production, levels of King crab production, and King crab prices. Primary data were gathered from fishermen, processors, state fish agencies, and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Secondary sources were utilized to gain general information on King crab fishing and processing. Dungeness crab is usually sold by fishermen to processors. Processors generally sell the crab through brokers to fish wholesalers, but they may also sell directly to fish wholesalers or retailers. A definite seasonal trend was found in prices received by fishermen. However, cyclical movements have a much greater impact upon absolute price levels received by fishermen. Total catch of Dungeness crab and King crab prices were found to play important roles in determining prices received by Oregon Dungeness crab fishermen. It is concluded from the analysis that: (1) an industry-wide commission is needed to advertise and promote Dungeness crab products; (2) the ocean fishing season should be opened January 1 instead of December 1 of each year; (3) processors should endeavor to expand into new marketing areas to increase demand for their products;(4) grades and quality standards should be established; and (5) further research is needed in the technological, biological, and economic aspects of Dungeness crab production and marketing. Graduation date: 1967 1966-12-13T00:00:00Z