The Spot Prawn Fishery: A Status Report - Earth Economics

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The Spot Prawn Fishery: A Status Report potentially important management and/or conservation concern: the latent possibility of a significant increase in fishing effort. Statewide trawl landings peaked in 1997 at about 566,000 pounds. Trap landings peaked in 1991 at about 260,000 lbs. Throughout most of its history, the spot prawn fishery has been characterized by periodic declines in catch followed by periods of increasing catch. The reasons for fluctuations in landings are poorly understood but may be due in part to variability associated with environmental change as well as variable fishing effort. Recreational Fishery Due to the depth at which spot prawns are found, presently there is virtually no recreational fishery for spot prawns. Some recreational traps have been set on occasion in the Carmel Bay Ecological Reserve. Landings, Landed Values, and Markets In 2000, coast-wide spot prawn landings declined from the previous year’s 615,000 pounds to 439,000 lbs. According to CDFG biologists, these landings are much closer to the historical average (National Fisherman 2001). The effects of El Niño and the relocation of fishing effort are believed to partially explain these lower landings. The 1997–98 El Niño is believed to have led to increased spot prawn abundance. Relocation of effort can be explained by the increased value of Dungeness crab, following the shortfall of Opilio crab in Alaska. The price of Dungeness increased again in the 2000 fishery, and 41 trawl vessels as opposed to 49 made spot prawn landings. Fewer trap landings were evidenced as well—37 landings, as opposed to 46 in 1999 (National Fisherman 2001). Southern Trap and Trawl Landings Landings in the southern half of the fishery fluctuate widely. During the past two decades the trawl fishery has exhibited two major spikes in landings, the trap fishery three. Environmental variability has been identified as one causal factor; in the trawl fishery, expansion of effort was identified as another. A study in the Santa Barbara Channel during the 1980s suggested that “declining catches and CPUE, coupled with increasing total effort, portend a resource in distress” (Sunada 1984, p. 102). Northern Trap and Trawl Landings In the northern half of the state, the trap fishery is characterized by relatively low fishing effort and steady landings. By contrast, beginning in 1993 the trawl fishery exhibited a large increase in landings. Similar to the southern fishery, this increase in effort and, subsequently, catch can be explained by the migration of displaced vessels from the West Coast groundfish fishery as a result of overfishing and subsequent reduction in allowable catch. Many prawn fishers market their own catches or sell to the live market via smaller buyers. The result is a high-valued product. Approximately 80% of the spot prawns landed in California are sold alive. Typically, trawlers make multiple-day fishing trips, but refrigeration units for seawater keep the prawns near a desired temperature of 40˚ Fahrenheit. Most trap vessels and some Spot Prawn Landings (Metric Tons) By Port Area And Gear Type Adapted from Fisheries Review, CalCOFI Rep. 2000 41
The Spot Prawn Fishery: A Status Report trawlers fish single-day trips and have developed methods to keep prawns cold and alive without elaborate refrigeration systems. In 1997 spot prawns commanded an average exvessel price of $16.50 per kilogram ($7.50/lb.). In 1999, the ex-vessel price for live product ranged from $3.50 to $10.60/kg. The estimated total value of the fishery to the State was approximately US $4.3 million in 1999. In that year, the fishery was ranked 32nd among California’s commercial fisheries in terms of total volume. It ranked eighth in total value, based on ex-vessel prices and ex-vessel price per pound, coming in second, behind lobster. The fishery was 3.0% of the 1999 value of California’s commercial fisheries. Currently, the price for live prawns is between $8 and $11 per pound dockside. Dead prawns are valued at between $3 and $4 per pound (National Fisherman 2001). Existing Management and Regulatory Systems The spot prawn fishery in California is managed through a series of regulations that have become more restrictive in recent years (Reilly, CDFG. Pers. comm., March 2001). Since stock assessments are unavailable for the spot prawn resource, management and regulatory systems have primarily been developed in response to the examination of trends in landings and CPUE data. Consultations with fishers and the fishing community have also informed and directed the development of the existing management regime. Summary of Trawl Regulations •Trawlers are required to purchase a $30 shrimp and prawn trawl permit. Not more than one permit shall be issued to any one person. •A statewide seasonal closure from November 1 through January 31 is in effect in order to protect egg-bearing females. •Trawling is prohibited within three miles of the shore (both the mainland and islands), and in waters less than 25 fathoms deep. Trawling is also prohibited in Santa Monica Bay. •Trawl nets with single-walled cod ends are required to have a minimum mesh size of 1.5 in. and a functional finfish excluder with a minimum surface area of 36 in. Finfish excluders are required to minimize bycatch, particularly of species of concern, such as rockfishes. The minimum mesh size for double-walled cod ends is 3 in.; these are not required to have bycatchexcluder devices. •Incidental catch restrictions are in place for all fish, particularly federally managed groundfish species. Not more than 1,000 pounds of any incidentally caught fish may be retained. During the seasonal closure for spot prawns, hauls may not contain more than 50 pounds, or 15% spot prawns by weight. Summary of Trap Regulations •Trap vessels are required to carry a $35 general trap permit. •Trap vessels are not subject to any area closures. In practice, trap fishing is limited to available spot prawn habitat that does not overlap with trawlable waters. •The trap fishery is closed from November 1 through January 31 south of Point Arguello, and from May 1 to July 31 north of Point Arguello, in order to protect egg-bearing females. •Traps are required to have a minimum mesh size that is no less than 7/8 in. by 7/8 in., such that a 7/8-in.-square peg can fit through the mesh without stretching it. The regulations provide for only plastic or wire mesh; nonetheless, some fishers use monofilament. •All traps must have at least one destruct device in order to create an escape opening of at least 5 in. diameter in the top or upper half of the trap when the device material corrodes or fails. •Each vessel is limited to 500 traps, except within three miles north of Point Arguello, where only 300 traps are allowed. Management Issues and Concerns Management Recommendations The capitalization and effort in California’s spot prawn fishery have increased rapidly in the last 10 years. The increasing market demand for prawns, in combination with a growing number of displaced fishers due to the overfishing and collapse of other fisheries, guarantees that this growth will not taper off in the near future. To ensure long-term sustainability, management recommends the following measures: 42
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