Evaluation of the importance of fisheries management objectives using choice-experiments

Fisheries management is characterised by multiple objectives. Decision making is often impeded by different stakeholders placing different importance on these objectives. While compromise solutions are often achieved, more efficient solutions might be possible if the preference structure of stakeholders was known. In this paper, the potential of choice modelling for evaluating the importance of potentially conflicting fisheries management objectives is examined. The fisheries of the English Channel are used as an example. Results from a survey of the key stakeholders in these fisheries are presented, showing that regional employment and sustainable yields are of key concern. Overall, the importance between objectives can be measured appropriately and the methodology can offer useful information to the management process.