MODELING DYNAMICS OF FISHERY
HARVEST REALLOCATIONS: AN ANALYSIS
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA
RED DRUM FISHERY

PETER W. SCHUHMANN

Abstract:

The interactive dynamics of red drum stock growth and two-sector harvest are modeled as a system of differential equations. The dynamic effects of commercial harvest restrictions on stock growth and recreational catch and effort are simulated. The simulation shows that a reallocation of the North Carolina red drum stock from the commercial sector to the recreational sector will not only increase benefits to the recreational sector, but will also be stock enhancing. Stock growth in the years immediately following the reallocation is quite rapid, with complete transition to the final steady-state taking between 23 and 46 years. Parameters important to the behavior of the system are identified through sensitivity analysis, and are used to establish critical areas for further research.