PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bos, Björn
TI  - Fishing under the Radar
AID  - 10.3368/le.101.3.022824-0019R1
DP  - 2025 Aug 01
TA  - Land Economics
PG  - 330--352
VI  - 101
IP  - 3
4099  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/101/3/330.short
4100  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/101/3/330.full
AB  - This article evaluates the world’s largest fishing ban—the annual fishing moratorium in China—and assesses compliance with the ban. I begin by estimating the reduction in fishing effort resulting from the ban, using vessel broadcast positions and fishing boat detections from nighttime lights. The analysis reveals a reduction in fishing activity of up to 90%. I then investigate the characteristics of noncompliant vessels and their responses to the policy: fishers increase catches during evenings and nights, disable vessel broadcast devices, and engage in more transshipment events. I find that attractive income opportunities during the ban undermine compliance.