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Factors Affecting Baitfish Supply and Retail Prices Paid by Maine Anglers
Author(s) -
Frost Frank O.,
Trial Joan G.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013<0586:fabsar>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - minnow , fishery , dozen , license , overexploitation , fishing , notropis , agricultural economics , business , agricultural science , fish <actinopterygii> , economics , environmental science , biology , arithmetic , mathematics , political science , law
Minnows (Cyprinidae) and rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax are the primary baitfishes used for winter sport fisheries in Maine. Anglers buy bait from dealers, who harvest wild fish. The State of Maine licenses dealers and regulates harvests. We investigated trends in real prices of bait in relation to supply, demand, and fisheries regulations. We assumed that supply was related to the number of bait dealer licenses sold each year. Sportfishing license sales, estimates of the number of days fished per angler per year, and the estimated proportion of licensed anglers who participated in ice fishing were used to assess demand. Because price is determined by the interaction of supply and demand, we wanted to determine if supply was meeting demand. Demand for live baitfish and bait license sales have increased since 1973. Between 1985 and 1991, real prices (1985 dollars) for a dozen rainbow smelt fluctuated between US$4.09 and $4.59. Real prices for minnows were $1.93 per dozen in 1985 and remained stable around $1.90 from 1985 to 1987. After 1987 minnow prices increased to between $2.07 and $2.21 per dozen. We noted that area prices fluctuated more than the state average, indicating that supply was locally less stable relative to demand. Overall price also differed among parts of Maine. Rainbow smelt prices were lowest in the south, and minnow prices were lowest in the east. The differences identify areas of the state where baitfish are harvested and, thus, may indicate potential for overexploitation of some populations.