The Spanish fishing fleet and the economic value of Southern stock of European hake fishery (Merluccius merluccius)

摘要: European fish stocks have been overfished for decades and fishing fleets remain too large the marine resources available. Fish populations could increase generate more economic value if pressure were reduced just a few years. Hake has historically most representative commercial species of Spanish sector in 20th century, is high demand market. In this paper we calculate direct Southern stock hake (Merluccius merluccius) under "recent catches" different "rebuilding" scenarios. Three scenarios are analysed compared: (i) real situation between 1986 2005; (ii) biomass simulation Union (EU) fleet had followed ICES scientific recommendations (SRs) quota allocation from to (iii) EU progressively reduces discards as proposed by Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform 2012 2022.The results suggest that industry prefers short-term profits, because was $415 million, which higher than $245 million obtained SRs respected. If exploitation rate last 20 years continues new CFP, amounts only U$S258 well below 2005. Even discard volume 10-20%, would reach $300 $436 estimated our model followed. The benefits following not restricted benefits, but; subsequent restrictive measures on ensure recovery might be lower, while consumers access protein sea at affordable prices. © Elsevier Ltd.