Module 1 - Introductory Cases Flashcards
What was the global trends in the state of the world’s marine fish stocks between 1974-2017?
- increase in biologically unsustainable stocks
- underfished stocks are getting to be smaller
Perpetual Resouces
Resources that replenish constantly and are not impacted by human activity
Renewable Resources
Resources that restore/replenish themselves on a timescale that is meaningful to human society (part of an active ecological system)
Non-Renewable Resources
Resources that exist in a fixed quantity or stock in the earths crust. Any renewal rate is too slow to be meaningful to human activity.
When are we using resources as SOURCES?
When we take them from the environment and make use of them in consumption or production.
When are we using resources as sinks?
When we use them to store or process (attenuate) waste products.
What is an example of using a resource as a source?
- breathing in air
- cutting down a tree to make a table
What is an example of using a resource as a sink?
- septic systems
- GHG into the atmosphere
When does renewable resource degradation occur?
When the capacity of the renewable resource to act as a source or sink is reduced OR when the ecological functioning of the resource is degraded
What is a ‘sustainable yield’?
The highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely as a source without degrading it
What is a ‘critical load’?
The highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely as a sink without degrading it.
What is the ‘Freedom of the High Seas’?
Areas of the globe that aren’t governed, countries all have the same right to the open oceans.
Prior to 1977 what was Canada’s fishing like?
- Canada enacted no efforts to restrict or control fishing beyond a 12 nautical mile limit
- Large European, Canadian, and American fishing trawlers were fishing without restriction
In 1977, what did Canada do to fishing?
- Canada declared an EEZ (exclusive ecological zone) set at a 200 nautical mile limit which gave them control over much of the area.
- In theory, this new control should have helped prevent overfishing
What were 4 reasons that contributed to the tragic outcome of cod fisheries in Canada?
- Transboundary situation created challenges as Canadian gov did not control the entire resource w/part of the resource effectively being in an open access common property situation (aka no one entity can make the rules)
- Gov subsidies pushed the exploitation of the resource beyond what markets would have if left alone (perverse subsidies)
- Gov stepped in, pumped money into the regions, they bult new factories, boats and more ppl fished - Scientists who put forward predictions of concern were ignored while optimistic scientists who predicted positive futures were embraced by policymakers who were prioritizing economic growth - the Precautionary Principle was ignored
- Scientific monitoring was not in place and there was no system of adaptation to address changes in the condition of the fish stocks (Adaptive Management)
What is the Precautionary Principle?
In order to protect the environment, when there is a reasonable probability of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty regarding the extent or possibility of risk should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measure to prevent environmental degradation.
- “better safe than sorry”
What is the Adaptive Management Principle?
The use of a structured, rigourous, and iterative process of decision making regarding an issue that involves regular monitoring of current outcomes that affect the application of regulations and other policy instruments to achieve a desired goal.
Adaptive management is a systematic process for continually improving management policies and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational programs.
What was the problem in the 1920’s?
Fishery degradation = increased fishing effort required
- use a Regulatory Approach and an International Agreement to establish a shortened season so that there is a “Recovery Period”
- in response, Fishermen bough more boats (often of lesser quality) and hired temporary workers during season, by 1994 the season was down to 2 days (fishing derby)
When were Independent Fishing Quota’s (tradeable permits) introduced?
1991
What are 3 characteristics of Independent Fishing Quota’s?
- total quota is set each yr and permits distributed by existing formula
- permits are tradable btw fishing companies
- permits can be sold permanently
What happened to the fishing seasons and problems in the region once Independent Fishing Quotas were introduced in 1991?
- Fishing season is now 8 months, there is a full industry again
- Has addressed many of the problems in the region
How was adaptive management employed alongside independent fishing quotas?
- Quotas change yearly based on how healthy the resources are
- Fishing companies report where they catch fish, how long hooks were out aka every detail of their catch
- every yr quota is set for next yr according to data; measurements are on the side of caution to protect the resource
What is a key principle of sustainable development?
Integration of Social, Economic, and Environmental Concerns
How were concerns over loss of fishing culture resulting if quota’s were purchased by large corporations addressed? Aka how was INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT employed?
- limited ownership of quota to 0.5% of total quota
- residency requirement of quota owner
- limited vessel size to small trawlers
Alternative approaches to fisheries management led to what?
Different outcomes!
- key principles such as precautionary principle, adaptive management, and integrated management are all important
