Trawling and longlining in the Namibian hake industry

Abstract

Two hake species are caught off the coast of Namibia. These are Merluccious capensis and Merluccius paradoxus, and they are not distinguished between in catches . Two fishing fleets harvest hake, these are trawlers and longliners. In this study, the focus has been on the biological and economic characteristics of two different fishing methods. The Pella and Tomlinson surplus production model was used, and the parameters estimated by applying time series of catch and effort data. Revenue and cost were estimated in order to do an economic assessment of the hake fishery. The results from the model analysis suggests a higher benefits (economic rent) from the longline fishery only, with high catch rates, high effort, revenue. The model indicates that the level of stock from both longlining and trawling are operating under a sustainable level of fishing effort. The maximum theoretical resource rent of the trawl and longline fisheries amounts to N$891 million and N$1,7 billion respectively. However from the current hake stock we will expect a decrease in catch in a long run (trawl fishery) with a stable or even a decreased effort from today’s fishery for Namibian hake to be at the level of maximum economic yield of effort and catch. The higher rent generated by longliners is due to the high price they receive for their landings which is usually exported; and the different selection pattern from the two fishing fleets. Thus, a difference of N$802 million will accrue to longliners according to the model results.