Techno-Economic Performance Review of Selected Fishing Fleets in Asia

This review presents the findings of six country level studies of fishing fleets in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. It includes financial and economic information on 27 major fishing fleet segments, including trawlers, gillnetters, long liners, jiggers, purse seiners, as well as pole and line fishing vessels. The analysis shows that 89 percent of the 27 fishing fleet segments reported positive net cash flows. Seventy percent of the fishing fleets realized net profit margins of more than 10 percent. Eighty-one percent of the fishing fleets reported positive results in terms of their capital productivity, as theirs returns on fixed tangible assets were positive. The review shows that investments in fishing vessels and fishing operations of these major Asian fishing fleets are generally profitable. Marine capture fishing is a financially viable economic activity in all six major fishing nations included in the review. However, the analysis also reveals a need for adequate management measures, including fleet capacity management plans, to improve the status of fish stock in the region and maintain a healthy and profitable fishing sector.