Industry response to the 2003 set net restrictions for protection of Maui′s dolphin

Marine reserves and gear restrictions are common forms of marine resource management; they impact on fishers both directly and indirectly. In 2003 New Zealand set net fishers were required to abandon set netting along a substantial section of the North Island′s West Coast in order to eliminate the chance of entangling the critically endangered Maui′s dolphin. A study of some 100 set net fishers, found that the immediate, and short term effects of the 2003 set netting area closures had little impact on the catch and effort levels of fishers. Participation in the fishery increased immediately prior to the restrictions and remained at a similar level for the following four years. Incumbent fishers performed better than new entrants and exiters. Trends in Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) prices appear not to have been affected by the set net restrictions.