A mixed integer linear program for an integrated fishery

Abstract

In this paper fishing trawler scheduling and production planning for a quota-based integrated commercial fishery is modelled mathematically. The catch capacity of fishing trawlers and the capacity of processing firms are two major factors which influence the scheduling of fishing trawlers. Production planning in fish processing firms depends on steady supply of fresh fish from the fishing trawlers to the processing firms. We develop a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model to co-ordinate trawler scheduling, fishing, processing, and labour allocation of quota based integrated fisheries. We demonstrate the workability of our model with a numerical example and sensitivity analysis based on data obtained from one of the major fisheries in New Zealand.

Keywords: mixed integer linear program, fishing, trawler scheduling, processing, quotas

ORiON: The Journal of ORSSA Vol. 22(1) 2006: 19–34