Welcome to Fish Banks, Ltd.
We are going to play a simulation
game called Fish Banks.
It is called a simulation because it
allows you, through playing the game,
to experience processes and issues
at work in real life systems.
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 1
Congratulations!
You have just been hired to manage
one of the principal fishing companies
in the U.S. Together with others in
your company, you will be making
decisions about the operation of your
fishing fleet each year according to
strategies you develop as a team.
Let’s talk about the information
you need to be successful!
B 2
Criterion for Success
Success is defined as the
maximization of your assets.
ASSETS =
$$$
BANK BALANCE
+
SHIPS’ SALVAGE
VALUE
If you work together and make wise
decisions, you should be able to accumulate
considerable assets.
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 3
$$
Profit
$$
Profit = Income - Expenses
FISH
SALES
INTEREST
EARNINGS
SHIP
TRADE
SALES
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
HARBOR &
OPERATING
COSTS
SHIP
AUCTIONS &
TRADE
PURCHASES
NEW
SHIP
ORDERS
INTEREST
CHARGES
B 4
Income
Fish
Sales
Interest
Earnings
Ship
Trade
Sales
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
Catch x Price ($20 per fish)
10% if Minimum Balance is greater
than zero $ Cha-ching! $
Negotiated Price
B 5
Expenses
Harbor &
Operating
Costs
Construction
Auction &
Trade
Purchase
Interest
Charges
Harbor: $50/ship-year
Coastal Fishery: $150/ship-year
Deep Sea Fishery: $250/ship-year
New Ships: $300 each (charged
current year but delivered following
year)
Auction: Highest Bid
Trade: Negotiated Price
15% if Minimum Balance is less
than zero.
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 6
Profit Example
1 Ship to Deep Sea
1 Ship to Coastal
1 Ship to Harbor
Profit from 3 Ships
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
Fish Sales = 25 x $20
Operating Cost
Deep Sea Subtotal
$500
-250
Fish Sales = 15 x $20
Operating Cost
Coastal Subtotal
$300
-150
Fish Sales
Operating Cost
Harbor Subtotal
$250
$150
$0
-50
-$50
$350
B 7
Fishing Areas
Deep Sea Fishery
Coastal Fishery
Maximum Population:
2000 - 4000 Fish
Maximum Population:
1000 - 2000 Fish
Annual Operating Cost:
$250 per Ship-Year
Annual Operating Cost:
$150 per Ship-Year
Productivity (Normal Ship
Effectiveness): 25 Fish per
Ship-Year
Productivity (Normal Ship
Effectiveness)
15 Fish per Ship-Year
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 8
Regeneration of Fish
Since this game is a simulation, the
fish regeneration will simulate real
life based on the decisions your
companies make.
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 9
Game Board
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 10
Decision Sheet
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 11
Participants’ Steps of Play
1. Receive Annual Report and record computergenerated numbers on Decision Sheet under
"Annual Report."
2. Bid for auctioned ships.
3. Buy or sell ships in trading sessions.
4. Place orders for new ship construction.
5. Calculate and record fleet size.
6. Allocate ships among fishing areas & harbor and
record decisions on Decision Sheet.
7. Place ships on game board.
8. Give Decision Sheet to game operator.
Fish Banks, Ltd. © 2001 Dennis L. Meadows
B 12