EconSearch Completed Project
Project: Advice on options for individual quota allocations (2002)
Client: South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Industry
Collaborators: Cosoff Cudmore Knox
Summary: This project provided recommendations regarding the possible future introduction of individual transferable quotas (ITQs) in the northern zone rock lobster fishery in response to a request from the northern zone rock lobster Review Committee. EconSearch were asked to provide advice on various options as a basis upon which ITQs should be allocated in the fishery. These included an allocation in which catch history would be taken into account and comprise about 50% of an allocation and the balance allocated on the basis of the number of pots held by operators with an adjustment period of 5-10 years (after which all pots would attract the average quota), an allocation of ITQs based solely on the number of pots held by operators and an allocation of ITQs based 50% on catch history and 50% on the number of pots held by operators with no adjustment period.