Assessing Catch Inequality in Walleye Angling Fisheries

Abstract
The frequency distribution of the catch among anglers is typically highly skewed to the left, which suggests that most anglers catch few or no fish, and that most of the fish are caught by only a few anglers. Angler skill, efficiency, equipment, and other factors all play a role in determining the shape of the catch distribution. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients are used by economists to measure the distribution of wealth. Temporal changes in the shape of the Lorenz curve and the magnitude of the Gini coefficient reflect changes in the distribution of the resource among its users. I used these curves and coefficients to quantitatively describe the distribution of the catch among anglers for walleye Stizostedion vitreum. Gini coefficients were inversely correlated to catch per unit effort, which suggests the catch was more evenly distributed among anglers when the total catch was higher.
Keywords

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: