Fisheries property rights and recreational/commercial conflict: implications of policy developments in Australia and New Zealand

Commercial fisheries management in Australia and New Zealand is increasingly based on better definition of the rights and responsibilities of resource users. At the same time recreational fishers are claiming a greater share of resources largely based on perceptions of superior economic returns to the community from their activities. The basis of the conflict between traditional, recreational and commercial resource users is moving from physical competition for fish to economic and legal arguments over social priorities. Advantages and disadvantages of increased use of property rights in resource allocation are investigated. It is argued that the recreational sector needs better definition of its claim for priority access to resources.