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Drivers of fuel use in rock lobster fisheries

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 05:18 authored by Parker, RWR, Caleb GardnerCaleb Gardner, Bridget Green, Klaas HartmannKlaas Hartmann, Reginald WatsonReginald Watson
Fuel consumption is a leading cost to fishers and the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from the global fishing industry. Fuel performance varies substantially between and within fisheries, but the drivers behind this variation are unclear and inconsistent across studies. We surveyed rock lobster fishers in Australia and New Zealand to measure rates of fuel use and assess the influence of technological (e.g. vessel size, engine power), behavioural (e.g. distance travelled, speed), and managerial (e.g. catch per unit effort, fishery capacity) factors. Weighted fuel use intensity across the region was 1,890 l/t. Managerial factors were the most influential drivers of fuel use in single day trips while technological factors heavily influenced multi-day trips. Catch per unit effort was the only significant driver present across both types of fishing trips. The vast majority of surveyed fishers identified fuel use as an important aspect of fishing operations, and nearly half had already implemented changes to try to reduce consumption. Our results suggest that efforts to reduce fuel consumption, costs, and emissions in fisheries need to be tailored to the nature of individual fisheries, as the relative roles of technology, behaviour, and management vary.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

ICES Journal of Marine Science

Volume

74

Issue

6

Pagination

1681-1689

ISSN

1054-3139

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Academic Press Ltd Elsevier Science Ltd

Place of publication

24-28 Oval Rd, London, England, Nw1 7Dx

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Social impacts of climate change and variability

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    University Of Tasmania

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