Strategies and rationale for fishery subsidy reform

Author:

Cisneros-Montemayor A.M., Sanjurjo E., Munro G.R., Hernández-Trejo V., Sumaila U.R.

Publication Year:

2016

Citation:

Cisneros-Montemayor A.M., Sanjurjo E., Munro G.R., Hernández-Trejo V., Sumaila U.R. "Strategies and rationale for fishery subsidy reform." Marine Policy (2016): 229–236. doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2015.10.001.

Description:

In this study, subsidy reform strategies are critically assessed, drawing on a review of over 30 case studies worldwide to determine patterns in their usefulness and conditions for implementation. Strategies with best relative results are reorienting subsidies away from capacity-enhancement, and/or conditioning them on specific sustainable performance metrics. Decoupling subsidies from fishing (e.g. providing direct aid to fishers) has unpredictable and unclear results, whereas buyback programs tend to have poor outcomes. Eliminating subsidies is perhaps the simplest strategy, but is the most difficult to implement from a social and political perspective. Key factors for any policy to succeed are clear short and long-term goals; creative design; transparent implementation; and strong socio-political will.

See related content: