Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Paper Series,
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department Economics

No 2016:3: Habitat quality and fish population: impacts of nutrient enrichment on populations of European perch off the east coast of Sweden

Wondmagegn Tirkaso () and Ing-Marie Gren ()
Additional contact information
Wondmagegn Tirkaso: Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Postal: Department of Economics, Box 7013, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
Ing-Marie Gren: Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Postal: Department of Economics, Box 7013, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract: Degradation of marine ecosystems through e.g., eutrophication and climate change is a concern for sustainable fishery management world-wide, but studies on associated impacts on fish populations are rare. This study examined the effects of eutrophying nutrient loads on perch populations along the Swedish east coast. A modified Gordon-Schaefer logistic growth model was used for econometric estimation of perch populations in the study area, based on annual time series data for the period 1970-2014. Regression analysis using the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) estimator revealed that phosphorus loads had significant effects on the perch population. A 40% decrease in phosphorus loads, as suggested by the international Copenhagen agreement, could increase the steady state perch population by 50%. Simple calculations showed that this could increase the discounted harvest value of the perch by 30%.

Keywords: nutrient loads; perch populations; logistic growth; econometrics; Swedish east coast

JEL-codes: Q22; Q53; Q57

22 pages, September 29, 2016

Full text files 

Working%20paper?preview=Perch+WP1.pdf PDF-file

Download statistics

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Elizabeth Hillerius ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

This page generated on 2024-02-05 17:13:37.