The catch in trading fishing access for foreign aid

Elizabeth Petersen*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    29 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The Pacific island countries depend heavily on bilateral aid. Much of this aid is provided by distant water fishing nations in exchange for cheap access to the Western and Central Pacific tuna fishery. Japan access fees (approxiamately US$8 million) are comparable to about 5% of Japanese aid to the region (approximately US$150 million). If access fees were maximised, there is potential for the access fees to match, possibly double, total Japanese aid to the region. It is argued that aid dependency is decreasing the transparency of fishing treaties, decreasing the flexibility of government spending, exposing the Pacific island countries to large financial risks associated with possible aid withdrawal, and stifling the region's own efforts for fisheries, and broader economic, development.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)219-228
    Number of pages10
    JournalMarine Policy
    Volume27
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2003

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The catch in trading fishing access for foreign aid'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this