Should Sustainability of Fish Stock Be Prioritised Over Catch Efficiency – A Study on Traditional Fishermen in Karimganj District of Assam

Abstract

Sone Beel, the largest wet land of southern Assam is the home of traditional fishermen who are dependent solely on fishing for their livelihood.  No fishing permits are required in the Sone Beel during the peak fishing season, and as such there is open access to fishing during this period.  This paper estimates technical efficiency of fish catch and its non-input determinants using a stochastic production frontier with inefficiency effects. A sample of 165 fishing teams operating during the monsoon of 2013, were chosen for this purpose.  The study suggests that experience in fishing has a positive influence on technical efficiency while education and income from sources other than fishing have depressing effects on the same.  Uncontrolled fishing in the area during peak fishing seasons is the consequence of overdependence on fishing. There is no institutional mechanism in place to check the rampant use of dense nets that lead to massive loss of non-fish species in the water body.  Thus immediate policy intervention may check loss of fish stock and aquatic species in the region, and can help in restoration of the ecological balance in the Sone Beel.

Keywords: Sone Beel, fish catch, technical efficiency, stochastic production frontier, inefficiency effects model, and non-input factors.

JEL classification: C 21, Q 22.