The contribution of unmeasurable inputs to fisheries production: an analysis of technical efficiency of fishing vessels in the English Channel

Variations in the effecinecy of demersal trawlers operationg in the English Channel were examined through the estimation of a stochastic frontier production function. The most important measurable factor. The most important measurable factor affecting efficiency was the age of the vessel.HOwever, Unmeasurable factors accounted for about 65% of varitions in the efficiency, and as much as 9% of the total variation in catches between boats. IT is postulated that most of this variation was due to differences in skipper and crew skill. In contrast,"luck" accounted for around 11% of the variation in catches between boats