Comparative analysis of first and second stage data envelopment approaches: Performance of marine capture fisheries in the European Union

I explored harvest productivity and economic efficiency of marine fisheries across European Union member states using comparative first and second‐stage data envelopment analyses, linear programming, and econometric models, based on a panel data set of technical, social, and economic data between 2008 and 2020 when the first implications of the global Covid‐19 outbreak began in the European Union. During the period, harvest productivity increased for 52 percent of the 21 member states between 2008 and 2020, with an average economic efficiency of 0.76. The economic efficiency and harvest productivity of European Union member states' fisheries fluctuated, with noticeable declines throughout the study period. Gross domestic product per capita, population size, and aquaculture production were related to performance metrics. The results are aimed to guide European Union fisheries managers to better understand how improvements in harvest productivity and economically efficient performance are achieved without constant reliance on subsidization, over‐allocation, and overexploitation. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement and Evaluation of Convergence of Japan’s Marine Fisheries and Marine Tourism

This study attempts to examine the convergence development of the marine fishery (MF) and marine tourism (MT) industries of Japan through the theory of industrial relevance. First, the current MF and MT situation in Japan is introduced to analyze the mechanism of the integration of the two industries. Second, a Vector Autoregression Model (VAR) is built to examine the relationship between MF and MT. In addition, the shock potential contributions of the MF and MT industries are identified using impulse response and variance decomposition. Results show that the impact of MF on MT is more significant than that of MT on MF. However, the interaction between MF and MT tends to stabilize in the long run. Third, the industrial integration case of Japan’s Himakajima Island is selected to analyze the MF and MT integration mechanism. The integration of MF and MT can reduce transaction costs, make full use of labor, and promote the development of the local economy. Therefore, attention should be paid to the integration of the MF and MT industries, rather than partial implementation, to balance the development of the marine economy. Finally, relevant suggestions and measures are presented for marine industry transformation and upgrading, industrial integration, and green ecological development.

COVID-19 provides an opportunity to advance a sustainable UK fisheries policy in a post-Brexit brave new world.

Brexit creates a systemic shock that provides a unique opportunity for the UK to implement a new sustainable Fisheries Policy to better manage the multiple stocks on which future fishers will depend on leaving the European Union. At the same time, the global slowdown of commercial fishing as a result of COVID-19 has reduced pressure on some threatened stocks to levels not seen since the Second World War. In combination, Brexit and the COVID-19 slowdown have created a unique opportunity to facilitate the recovery of a threatened resource. Nevertheless, challenges remain as fisheries represent only 0.12% of UK economic output, presenting a risk that opportunities for more sustainable management will be lost during wider trade negotiations. Reduced fishing pressure during the COVID-19 era will enable stocks an opportunity to recover if supported by a new UK Fisheries Policy that focuses on: (a) re-establishing the role of Maximum Sustainable Yield to set limits that enable the recovery of fish populations initiated during the COVID-19 era; (b) ensuring that catch targets are set with the aim to maintain biomass at 120% of that which will achieve Maximum Sustainable Yield; (c) improving coherent resource management that also considers the expensive use of carbon associated with unsustainable fishing, and the need to protect fish throughout their life-cycle; and (d) constructing and effectively enforcing protection of a resilient network of Marine Protected Areas despite potential protests from EU member states.