How prevalent is size-dependent pricing in fisheries?

The paper "Is size-dependent pricing prevalent in fisheries? The case of Norwegian demersal and pelagic fisheries" by Fabian Zimmermann and Mikko Heino has appeared in the ICES Journal of Marine Science. The study analyses the relationship between the individual weight of landed fish and the price they achieve in eight Norwegian fisheries. Common knowledge and case studies indicate that size and weight of a fish can be important attributes when determining its economic value. However, so far there has been no broader assessment whether the size-dependence of price really is prevalent and significant in fisheries.

The new EvoFish study shows that in most Norwegian fisheries the price of fish depends on their size and that in many cases this effect is rather strong. In seven of eight examined fisheries, a significant positive relationship between size and price has been found. This includes equally major demersal and pelagic fish stocks such as cod, haddock, herring or mackerel. These results underline that size-dependent pricing is common in Norwegian fisheries, and is therefore also of high relevance for decisions in fisheries management.

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