Thesis (LL. M.)--Dalhousie University, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 309-318). Abstract also available via World Wide Web.

The objective of this thesis is to study the optimal management of North Sea herring. The analysis is based on a dynamic bioeconomic model for a fish resource, consisting of a model of population dynamics and a net revenue function. The model of population dynamics is described by a delay-difference equation. The model distinguishes between natural growth and mortality in the existing stock as opposed to new recruitment to the stock, which takes place with a time lag. The model is estimated based on time series data for the period 1947-82. The net growth function is shown to exhibit depensation, a phenomenon not uncommon for schooling fish like herring. In fisheries economics, the production function is often treated in a rather restrictive manner. The approach of this thesis is to specify a general production function, where output (harvest) is a function of variable inputs, stock size and other fixed factors. Cross-sectional (1968, 1971 and 1975) and aggregate time series (1963-77) data sets for the North Sea herring fishery are available. The cross-sectional data facilitate direct estimation of the production function (Cobb-Douglas). The time series data are used to estimate a harvest supply function (Cobb-Douglas), and by duality theory the parameters of the corresponding production function are derived. A hypothesis of increasing returns to scale in all inputs is accepted in all model specifications. The stock output elasticity generally varies between 0.1 and 0.5. Bionomic equilibrium--i.e., the open access stock level--is estimated to be close to zero. The last two results are attributed to the fact that the resource in question is a schooling one. The model is extended by introducing stock dynamics and the concept of a sole resource manager. An intertemporal profit function is maximized and an expression for the optimal stock level is derived. Some new analytical results with regard to the relationship between the optimal stock level and the production technology are derived. The quantitative results show that the inclusion of costs in the intertemporal profit function causes a considerable increase in the optimal stock level. The assertion that a low stock output elasticity implies that costs have a negligible effect on the optimal stock level is therefore not necessarily true. This is a result of the nonlinear nature of the production technology. The optimal stock level is shown to be not very sensitive to moderate changes in the discount rate. It is illustrated that costs have a stabilizing influence on the stock level. The optimal harvest quantity is quite insensitive to changes in the stock level, a result caused by the properties of the estimated model of population dynamics. Lastly, the model is found to be robust in the sense that the different specifications of the model of population dynamics and the production technology give rise to the same qualitative results. / Arts, Faculty of / Vancouver School of Economics / Graduate

Graduation date: 2000

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Rhode Island, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-109).

Thesis (PhD--Geography)--University of Auckland, 2010. / " A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 337-355).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 338-346).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: p. 291-339.

The North Sea Regional Advisory Council serves as a case study. Established during the 2002 Common Fisheries Policy, the North Sea Regional Advisory Council (NSRAC) offers stakeholder participation in the decision-making process. Its establishment was to some extent an experiment based on a leap of faith that better governance could help the ailing fisheries policy. A short analysis reveals the shortcomings of the previous fisheries policy, all of which root in the discrepancy between political motivation and legal objectives. The 'Tragedy of the Commons' suggests that democracy might indeed not be perfect for fisheries management. Past decision-making procedures in the European Community lent themselves to state competition and 'tragic' decision-making in the Council. In this situation, Regional Advisory Councils were hoped by some to provide self-regulation fora. EC/ EU constitutional law prevents this. The Common Fisheries Policy requires balancing of highly diverse interests. The NSRAC is not suited for such balancing, due to its (enshrined) industry majority. Nevertheless the NSRAC has already made valuable contributions and offers some potential for more. The double-bind between decision-makers and grass roots fishermen incentivises industry representatives in the NSRAC to propose conservation measures. They are less inclined to be hard-handed on the industry, though. NSRAC members stepped beyond 'stalling tactics' with regard to scientific assessments and proactively support them. In return, the decision-making system needs to acknowledge NSRAC commitment and provide sufficient funds.

The effects of freeze-drying and flake freezing of surimi on biochemical and physical properties as affected by various storage conditions were examined. Using three cooking parameters shear stress and strain values were evaluated to measure gelation properties of surimi gels. Stress values increased up to 3 months and then decreased substantially as storage time was extended. In general, strain values decreased substantially over time, however, freeze-dried surimi kept in the freezer at - 18°C did not change during 9 months of storage. Overall, color decreased during storage and b* values of the freeze-dried surimi kept at room temperature increased significantly. Salt extractable proteins decreased while dimethylamine increased. Electrophoretic patterns, however, did not show any apparent damage to the MHC due to frozen storage and/or proteolysis (with 60°C incubation) until the 9th month of storage. At 9 months, a reduction of the MHC was observed and the lower molecular weight bands were more intense. Freeze-dried samples stored in the freezer maintained the highest quality for the duration of the 9 month study. Low temperature storage is important for retaining good functionality in freeze-dried surimi. The effects of cross-section diameter on shear stress and strain and effects of individual variation in measuring diameter were studied. Gelation properties of surimi using milled and molded gels were compared. The possibility of skin formation using various cook times was also evaluated. Shear stress values were significantly affected by diameter accuracy, whereas the effect was not as significant for shear strain values. Individual variation in measurement was also greatly noted. Molded gels resulted in significantly lower strain values than milled samples, whereas stress values were significantly higher in molded gels than in milled gels. Using a lechitin-based spray appeared to eliminate skin formation on all samples. / Graduation date: 2001

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Chairperson: James W. Harrington. Includes bibliographical references.