The price of fish: a global trade analysis of Patagonian (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni)

Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish fisheries within the high seas are managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Currently, there is little methodology in place to monitor the value of toothfish, in relation to volume, traded in the international market. Using the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics (UN Comtrade), a trade analysis of toothfish import and export data records from 2007 to 2012 was conducted. The objectives were to review available data, examine global patterns of trade volume and price and provide relative information on trade patterns to policy makers for management purposes. The analysis focused on 10 countries found to be the most active in the trade of toothfish over the six-year analysis period. The average price (US$/kg) of imports to these countries increased by 62.24% from 2007 to 2012 with an overall decrease in traded volume. The USA accounted for the majority of imports and was found to have the largest influence on overall trends. The average price of exports increased by 88.5% from 2007 to 2012 with a decrease in traded volume. Analyses reveal a supply and demand relationship within international markets driven by economic changes as well as the influence of country-specific factors. This analysis contributes to the ongoing collection and evaluation of data in the toothfish trade that will be used to identify changes in the global toothfish market and assist in management efforts.