Økonomisk tilpasning til miljømål i blåmuslingefiskeriet

The paper investigates if it is possible to create resource rent in a fishery that is subject to restrictions caused by the wish to achieve certain environmental objectives stipulating that human activity must only slightly change the ecological situation from what is normal for an untouched environment. One of the fisheries affected by this objective is the Danish fishery for blue mussels in the Limfiord. This particular fishery has since the end of the 80’es been managed with restricted entry that, in combination with good recruitment to the mussel stock, has entailed a relatively high resource rent. In recent years the landings have decreased and must be expected to stay at this lower level if the environmental objectives are pursued. It is shown that even under these conditions it is possible to create a resource rent that is as high as the rent under the old management regime. The goal could be achieved by switching from non-transferable entry licenses to individual transferable licenses of quotas.