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A Policy Analysis of the BC Salmon Fishery

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  • Richard Schwindt
  • Aidan R. Vining
  • David Weimer

Abstract

Between 1996 and 2001 the Government of Canada implemented a multi-million dollar program to restructure and revitalize the British Columbia wild salmon fishery in order to avoid an economic and ecological collapse. This paper provides a brief history of BC salmon fishery policy with emphasis on the restructuring of the 1990s, documents the current state of the fishery, and provides an analysis of four policy options: the current, restructured fishery; a licence auction and landings tax regime; the allocation of river-specific, exclusive ownership and harvesting rights (with cooperative ownership on the Fraser River); and the implementation of individual transferable harvesting quotas (ITQs). Each policy is evaluated in terms of three major goals: economic efficiency, resource preservation, and equity. The analysis indicates that river-specific, exclusive ownership rights together with cooperative ownership on the Fraser are most likely to achieve the best mix of these goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Schwindt & Aidan R. Vining & David Weimer, 2003. "A Policy Analysis of the BC Salmon Fishery," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 29(1), pages 73-93, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpp:issued:v:29:y:2003:i:1:p:73-93
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    References listed on IDEAS

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