Bioeconomic Model of the Gulf of Carpentaria Prawn Fishery

Abstract

We present a bioeconomic model, of an intermediate degree of complexity and realism, of the prawn fishery of the Gulf of Carpentaria and adjacent waters in Northern Australia. The model employs 21 parameters to describe the performance of two classes of vessels exploiting several stocks of prawns. The model predicts the number of vessels of each class entering the fishery under free access, and the prediction is compared with available data. The model is also used to obtain estimates for the economically optimal number of vessels of each type. Key words: model, economics of fisheries, limited entry, prawn fishery, Australia