Geographic Concentration of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

Abstract

The concentration patterns in the Northeast US Sea Scallop industry are examined from 1996-2014 using generalized indices of concentration and exploratory spatial data analysis.  Absolute and relative Theil indices of concentration are computed to describe the regional pattern of concentration within ports over time.  Moran's I provides a complementary measure of concentration of activity among neighboring ports.  The Moran scatterplots and confidence plots provide insight into local patterns of concentration in this industry.  The analysis reveals large changes from year to year in the geographic concentration of the scallop industry, which is likely to be related to natural variability of the environment and regulations enacted by fisheries managers in response to the variability of the environment.