Input
subsidies
in
natural
resource
sectors
are
widely
believed
to
cause
depletion
of
the
capital
on
which
those
rely.But
identification
and
data
challenges
have
stymied
attempts
empirically
estimate
causal
effect
extraction.China's
fishing
fleet
is
world's
largest,
2016
government
changed
its
fuel
subsidy
policy
for
distant
water
vessels
one
that
increases
with
predetermined
vessel
characteristics.The
features
25
thresholds
at
discontinuously
increase.Using
a
regression
discontinuity
design,
we
1%
increase
hours
by
2.2%.Reducing
Chinese
50%
could
eliminate
biological
overfishing
several
ocean
regions.
Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
3
Published: Feb. 6, 2025
Across
the
high
seas,
distant
water
fisheries
have
benefited
from
government
subsidies.
Public
funds
directed
toward
supporting
fishery
sector
enabled
these
to
extend
their
range
and
duration
at
sea,
threatening
fish
populations
health
of
ocean
ecosystems.
Fuel
subsidies
been
identified
as
primary
form
subsidy,
often
allowing
fishing
vessels
continue
operations
despite
declining
revenues.
While
significant
attention
has
understanding
on
a
global
scale,
magnitude
specific
Southern
Ocean
remained
largely
unknown.
The
accounts
for
10%
oceans,
its
two
main
fisheries,
Antarctic
krill
toothfishes,
are
managed
by
Commission
Conservation
Marine
Living
Resources
(CCAMLR).
Through
data
collection
in
interviews,
our
study
provides
comprehensive
analysis
complex
that
underpin
fisheries.
Our
research
drew
upon
29
expert
interviews
with
industry
representatives,
officials,
researchers
13
CCAMLR
Member
States
engaged
activities
Ocean.
most
commonly
included:
fuel
subsidies;
tax
breaks;
discounted
loans;
research,
development,
innovation
grants;
infrastructure
support;
import
However,
results
show
that,
based
few
companies
heavily
depend
subsidies,
subsidy
allocation
varying
greatly
State.
For
majority
States,
insufficient
induce
changes
operations.
Instead,
private
organizations
continually
adjust
economic
strategies
operational
dynamics
increase
profitability
lower
expenses,
foregoing
relocating
(e.g.,
home
ports)
foreign
closer
This
suggests
nuanced,
needing
further
investigation
regional,
Nation
State,
company
level
scale.
