Are fishers profit maximizers? The case of Gillnetters in negros occidental and Iloilo, Philippines

The translog profit function model was used to determine whether sampled Philippine gillnet boats or fishers were able to maximize profits from their fishing trips. The empirical results showed that the translog functional form was more appropriate than the Cobb-Douglas form. The sampled gillnet boa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Subade, Rodelio Fernandez, Raja Abdullah, Nik Mustapha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Asian Fisheries Society 1993
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/32916/1/72.%2032916.pdf
Description
Summary:The translog profit function model was used to determine whether sampled Philippine gillnet boats or fishers were able to maximize profits from their fishing trips. The empirical results showed that the translog functional form was more appropriate than the Cobb-Douglas form. The sampled gillnet boats were not able to maximize profits. The nonprofit-maximizing behavior was found in each of the different gillnet types: drift gillnet, encircling gillnet and bottomset gillnet. The evident overfished condition of the fishery and the fishers’ satisfaction from their work were cited as the major reasons why they opted to remain in the fishery despite its nonprofitability.