By Donald R. Leal
A Summary
In coastal areas of the United States and Canada, fish populations continue to decline, in spite of government regulations. Communities whose mainstay is fishing appear powerless to control the tragedy of destructive overfishing.
But in a new policy paper, PERC Senior Associate Donald R. Leal argues that such a tragedy is not inevitable.
presents case after case of communities that have effectively protected their fishing territories and preserved fish for the future. Leal's paper reviews fisheries from a wide expanse of time and place, from early native Alaskan salmon fisheries to today's ZECs (zones of controlled exploitation) in Quebec. Leal finds that fishing areas can be protected from overfishing with minimal government involvement.
"Community-run fisheries challenge the notion that fishers will always be locked into the tragedy of the commons unless there is state control," says Leal. "They offer hope for many coastal fishing areas around the world." He suggests that they offer lessons for offshore fishing areas, as well.
The key is to figure out what makes these community-run fisheries "work." Leal cites the work of political economist Elinor Ostrom. Her studies of well-managed, commonly-owned property show that well-defined boundaries, a strong community tradition, and absence of government interference can preserve resources.
Founded 30 years ago in Bozeman, Montana, PERC—the Property and Environment Research Center—is the nation’s oldest and largest institute dedicated to improving environmental quality through property rights and markets.
PERC’s publications, each designed to resonate with specific groups, move ideas generated at PERC to broader audiences.
Research is at the heart of PERC's work, with a focus on the question: What is the link between economic growth and environmental quality?
The goal of PERC’s programs is to fully realize the vision of establishing “PERC University,” where scholars, students, policy makers, and others convene to expand the applications of free market environmentalism.
PERC's fellowships share a common goal of exposing new scholars, students, journalists, and policy makers to free market environmentalism, as well as enable scholars already familiar with FME to explore new applications.
PERC continues to publish and present a broad range of research and discussion through podcasts, videos, and other multimedia channels.