The Economic Analysis of Pareh-Cooperatives in the Mazandaran Province

The Caspian Sea is one of the largest sources of Bony fishes in Iran that these fishes accounted for 45 percent of total fishing in the Caspian Sea. Regarding a long history of Pareh-fishing on the coast of the Caspian Sea, the principle aim of this study was the economic analysis of fishery cooperatives in the Mazandaran province. For this purpose, 110 questionnaires were completed from 12 cooperatives in 2014 fishing season. The technical, allocative and economic efficiencies and total factor productivity index for the selected cooperatives calculated In addition, causes of reduced catches and fishermen and cooperatives’ problems were analyzed from the point of view of experts and fishermen. The efficiency results showed that, only 16.7 per cent of cooperatives have technical and economic efficiency. More than 80 per cent of cooperatives followed increasing returns to scale. According to the results variable such as fishermen’s age, education level, Fishing Manager’s experience and education, as well as level of fishing have positive and significant effect on economic efficiency significantly while variables like cooperative members, the number of stormy days and fishermen's second job have negative and significant effect on cooperatives’ economic efficiency. The productivity results indicated that only two cooperatives have productivity. Therefore it should focus on appropriate policies in order to improve efficiency and productivity.