Investigating the Impact of Illegal Fishing on the Sustainability of Marine Resources  (Case Study of Mazandaran Province)

Yazdani, Saeid; Ahmadi, Zohreh; Rafiee, Hamed

doi:10.22059/ijaedr.2025.390616.669359

Investigating the Impact of Illegal Fishing on the Sustainability of Marine Resources (Case Study of Mazandaran Province)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Saeid Yazdani ¹

zohreh Ahmadi ²

Hamed Rafiee ²

¹ Corresponding Author، Department of Economics، Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources، University of Tehran، Karaj، Iran

² Department of Economics، Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources، University of Tehran، Karaj، Iran

10.22059/ijaedr.2025.390616.669359

Abstract

Protecting natural resources to meet the needs of future generations is a key part of sustainable development. So, fishing in the Caspian Sea should be done in a way that keeps these resources from running out. The Caspian Sea is a closed area. Therefore, any harvesting should be monitored under scientific supervision. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the sustainable extraction levels of demersal fish from the Caspian Sea. To achieve this goal, the Schaefer model has been employed. The data used in this study consist of time series data from the years 2008 to 2022. The Schaefer model estimated a maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of 3,221 tons with an optimal fishing effort of 11,688 fishing trips. However, the results indicate that the catch obtained from the Schaefer model is less than the current amount, suggesting an overexploitation of resources. Specifically, 41% of the catch is obtained illegally, indicating a significant threat to the sustainability of the resource. Therefore, continuing the current trend of increasing illegal catches and excessive exploitation of the sea will jeopardize the stability of the resource. Therefore, to prevent or reduce illegal fishing, it is essential to implement regulatory and managerial restrictions by the Fisheries Organization.

Keywords

Resource Assessment

Maximum Sustainable Yield

The Caspian Sea

Surplus Production Model

Schaefer Model