The standard assumption in bioeconomic resource models is that optimal poli
cies maximize the present value of economic surplus to society. This assump
tion implies that regulatory agencies should not be concerned with the dist
ributional consequences of management strategies. Both contemporary welfare
-theoretic and rent-seeking approaches suggests distributional issues are i
mportant in designing resource management policies. This paper explores res
ource management when the managing agency has preferences defined over the
economic welfare of various groups with a direct economic interest in the u
se of resources. Policy schemes consistent with this approach are derived a
nd compared with standard results.