The following presentation examines the costs which fishermen holding commercial permits in the south Atlantic snapper-grouper and mackerel fisheries incurred to participate in those fisheries for calendar years 2002 and 2003. The two types of data collected to conduct an economic analysis were the variable costs data for each individual fishing trip and the fixed annual expenses data for operating in the fisheries. This evaluation has been undertaken to gain a better understanding of the economic ramifications, which different changes in management and regulation of the fisheries might have on the individual fisherman as well as the industry as a whole. To achieve this goal, regulation history is described, methodology is explained, and results are presented through correlations between vessel lengths, gear types, fishing locations, and crew size. The purpose of this assessment is to help managers make more informed decisions which consider the small business owner (i.e., permit holder). Any change in the regulation and management of fisheries has an effect on the national, regional, and local economies. This investigation attempts to bring some of these issues to the forefront to aid in the decision-making process.
