Restricting fishing: A socio-economic impact assessment of artisanal shark and ray fishing in Cilacap

Catches of shark and ray are considered important in Indonesian fisheries. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these fisheries may be over-exploited, but catches of shark and ray may be critical to their economic viability and the welfare of fishing communities dependent on them. Through a case study in Cilacap, Central Java, this paper assesses the potential economic and social impact on fishers and their households of restrictions on shark and ray catch. It reveals that shark and ray rep resent a minor component of this fishery's total catch, so the likely impact on the cash profitability of individual boats and the cash flow of fishing households would be minimal. However, inclusion of non-monetary costs in the analysis reveals that net returns to boat owners are negative. Shark and ray catch reductions will add further losses, and downstream activities such as processing of shark and ray products could imply an amplified aggregate impact.