Technology and management of bottomfish fisheries in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

This study was carried out to assess the technological and economic interdependencies in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islandʹs (NWHI) bottomfish fishery. Two-year trip level data on prices, catch and effort were used to estimate dual supply function for 6 species of bottomfish separately for Hoomllu and Mau zones. Statistical tests on seperability and non-jointness indicated existence of significant technological interaction in both zones. Overall the result suggest that management attempts should use a multi-species production theory rather than single species biological response functions for the NWHI bottomfish fishery. Further investigations on economic interaction show that there are statistically significant substitute and complementary relationships among the species. Although the magnitude of these relationships are not high, as indicated by inelastic relationships, specific nature of these relationships should be taken into account in developing the management plans.