Fishing power increases from technological development in the Faroe Islands longline fishery

During an effort-regulated period from 1996 to 2002, unregistered annual increases of 0.3% of hooks fished per day were demonstrated for the Faroe Islands longline fishery. However, annual increases were higher (1.5%) during a preceding total allowable catch regulated period, thereby invalidating an expectation of the 1996 shift in regulations (output to input control) to have induced increases in the number of hooks set per day.

Underlying this result is a substantial increase in total yearly effort (fishing days) and a shift in targeting behaviour from secondary to primary (high value) target species in response to the transition from output to input control. Interview data on technology were combined with logbook data and analysed with generalized linear modelling to demonstrate haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) catch-per-unit-effort increases of 51% and 26%, respectively, following the introduction of skewed hooks and swivel line.

The technological introductions were not correlated to regulation shifts. So, rather than the management system in force, an ongoing technological development seems to be the principal driver of fishing power trends. The results highlight the need to explicitly address technological development and targeting behaviour when attempting to meet conservation objectives through input control of fisheries.