The primary objective of COBECOS is to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of control schemes for management strategies relevant for the Common Fisheries Policy and, based on this analysis, infer the potential economic benefits which might accrue from proper enforcement of the management measures. We propose to achieve this objective on the basis of:
- an appropriate theory of fisheries enforcement,
- empirical research involving intensive case studies and estimation of theoretical relationships,
- computer modelling of fisheries enforcement (based on the theory and empirical estimations)
On this basis we expect to be able to contribute significantly to answering questions such as: What are the costs and benefits of increased enforcement effort in particular fisheries?
- If compliance alters (exogenously) in certain fisheries what are the costs and benefits?
- What are the impacts of increased penalties for violations of fisheries rules?
- How do different control schemes compare when the cost of enforcement is taken into account?