Economics of operation of fishing vessels for low energy fishing

Abstract

Gill netting and line fishing are considered to be two most important methods of low energy fishing as vessels engaged in these types of fishing activities do not expend fuel for towing heavy nets and further, fishing grounds are not damaged by fishing activities. These types of fishing activities are seasonal and mostly depend on the types of fishery. The maintenance cost of these types of vessels ranges between 6 and 8% of capital cost per annum and the annual profit ranges from 15 to 25%. Even in the face of declining trend in energy yield and increasing trend in the variable cost of production, this type of low energy fishing activities could survive profitably.