Seal interactions and exits from fisheries: insights from the Baltic Sea cod fishery

Abstract The number of seals in the Baltic Sea has increased dramatically recent years. While growing seal populations are associated with a thriving marine environment, interact coastal fisheries causing significant damages to catches and gears. One fishery that is severely affected cod where negative impact believed by many threaten existence fishery. This article empirically investigates what extent can explain declining fishing vessels active analysis makes use detailed logbook data statistical survival models estimate effect interactions gears on exit probability Swedish results show an important factor explaining exits, suggesting total losses caused go beyond observed costs broken damaged catches.