Economic Viability of Marine Capture Fisheries

Book excerpt: Between 1995 and 1997, FAO in cooperation with fisheries research institutions and administrations in selected countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, carried out studies on the economic and financial viability of the most common fishing craft and gear combinations. Information on the level of exploitation of fisheries resources as well as government policies on fisheries management, financial services, etc., was also collected. The countries covered by the studies include Peru, Argentina, Senegal, Ghana, China, Republic of Korea, Taiwan Province of China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, France, Spain and Germany. Together, they accounted for about 48 per cent of the total marine capture fisheries production in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia which again accounted for 84 per cent of the global marine capture fisheries production in 1995. The findings of the studies were presented and discussed at an interregional workshop which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 15 to 18 December 1997. They suggest that - in spite of fully and sometimes over-exploited fisheries resources - in most cases, marine capture fisheries is an economically and financially viable undertaking which generates sufficient revenue to cover the cost of depreciation as well as the opportunity cost of capital to generate funds for reinvestment in addition to employment, income and foreign exchange earnings.