Environmental Economics

Field Research--Invasive species

During my recent vacation (a whirlwind family tour of the Western Caribbean), I spent some time on the island of Roatan (off the coast of Honduras).  Being a good environmental steward--stop laughing--I spent some time talking with a representative from the Roatan Marine Park--OK, my family was shopping and I was bored so I stopped by a kiosk for the Marine Park*.  I learned that their #1 concern right now is the impact of the invasive Lionfish on tourism.  So upon my return to snowy Ohio, I looked up the Marine Park website and saw this:

Economic costs from invasive species can occur through loss of recreational and tourism revenues. This is a particularly the case with the invasive Pterois volitans (lionfish) on Roatan where so much revenue is dependent on the tourism industry. When economic costs of invasions are calculated as production loss and management costs, they are low because they do not consider environmental damage; if monetary values were assigned to the extinction of species, loss in biodiversity, and loss of ecosystem services, costs from impacts of invasive species would drastically increase.

I think something more specific than 'drastically' is needed.  I think I may have found my calling.

Also intriguing:

Lionfish were accidentally released into the Atlantic from Biscayne Bay Florida in 1992 following hurricane Andrew. Genetic analysis reveals that lionfish in the Caribbean have likely all originated from this population

*To prove my good stewardship I bought a Roatan Marine Park t-shirt for $10.  On the back it has a WANTED poster for lionfish with the caption "Eat More Lionfish."

Tradeable quotas in Virginia fisheries

My students and I will be reading this in the spring semester: 

Nash, Betty Joyce, The Fish Market, Region Focus, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Third Quarter 2011.

I like this picture:

I would hate to see their building that houses the organization for prostate cancer research*

From the organization that promotes fisheries in India comes this marine monstrosity. Opened in February 2012, it has the unfortunate appearance of a shark that has swallowed a blimp. The building’s left pectoral fin doubles as an awning above the main entrance. At night, bluish-purple spotlights pointed at the building give the impression it’s swimming through Hyderabad.

Read more: http://style.time.com/2012/11/05/15-buildings-that-dont-look-like-buildings/#ixzz2BN5fO2hV

*November is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  It's also Holy Souls in Purgatory month, an eternity I'm sure I have already solidified.

CNREP 2013

This is a great conference. I've attended two, I think, and regret that I missed the most recent. I'll be sure to get my abstract submitted by November 12. From the inbox:

Global Expert on Ecosystem Services to Headline CNREP 2013 Conference

Dr. Edward Maltby will be the keynote speaker at CNREP 2013: Challenges of Natural Resource Economics and Policy – The 4th National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal Systems. Maltby is professor emeritus of wetland science, water and ecosystem management at the University of Liverpool, UK. 

During the past 40 years, Maltby has gained an international reputation for developing innovative policy instruments focused on the management and conservation of water resources and wetland ecosystems. He played a key role in the creation and implementation of the Ecosystem Approach for the Global Convention on Biological Diversity; the United Kingdom’s National Ecosystem Assessment; contributed to development of the Ramsar Convention’s Wise Use Concept; and developed horizontal guidance for wetlands under the European Unions’ Water Framework Directive.

Dr. Maltby’s keynote presentation will focus on integration of biophysical and socioeconomic sciences for the measurement, valuation, and implementation of ecosystem services in public policy. His address will mark the opening of the CNREP 2013 conference to be held March 24-26, 2013, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans. Early conference registration is $350; $200 for students. For more information, visit www.cnrep.lsu.edu.

“We are thrilled to have Ed Maltby as our keynote speaker for this forum,” said Rex Caffey, conference co-chair and professor of natural resource economics at Louisiana Sea Grant and the LSU AgCenter. “Dr. Maltby has been a global visionary in the realm of ecosystem services and he’s intimately acquainted with the challenges we face in Louisiana and the northern Gulf region.” During 2011-12, Maltby held the Laborde Endowed Chair in Research Innovation for the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

The triennial CNREP forum focuses on the opportunities and challenges of socioeconomic research in the development of coastal resource management and policy. Session topics for the forum include, but are not limited to, market and nonmarket valuation of natural resources, environmental benefit-cost analyses, economic linkage/impact assessment, input-output modeling, and comparative assessments of resource management and coastal restoration policy.

The deadline for CNREP 2013 abstract submissions is Monday, November 12, 2012.

Third Call for Abstracts: CNREP 2013

The Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy (CNREP) is announcing a third call for abstracts for: CNREP 2013: Challenges of Natural Resource Economics & Policy – The 4th National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal Systems.

The conference, to be held March 24-26, 2013, in New Orleans, focuses on the opportunities and challenges of socioeconomic research in the development and evaluation of coastal resource restoration and management. Potential session topics include, but are not limited to, market and nonmarket valuation of ecosystem services and coastal resources, environmental benefit-cost analyses, economic linkage/impact assessment, input-output modeling, and comparative assessments of resource management and restoration policy.

Basic and applied research, extension-oriented, and policy discussion submissions are all welcome. The deadline for abstract submission is Monday, November 12, 2012.

The call for abstracts is available at: http://www.cnrep.lsu.edu.

Sponsor information: http://www.cnrep.lsu.edu/Sponsors%202013.html.

For information about CNREP, go to: http://www.cnrep.lsu.edu/AboutCNREP.html.

Find CNREP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CNREP.

For additional information, contact:

Rex H. Caffey, Professor and Director
Center for Natural Resource Economics & Policy (CNREP)
Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter
179 Woodin Hall, Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

 

TUESDAY’S MENU – Husk Restaurant: A Celebration of Southern Ingredients

The "supper" post is almost a week late (jeesh, bad blogging):

Amberjack from Mark Marhefka, Braised Root Vegetables, Young Tuscan Kale and Apple Brandy Butter $26

via www.huskrestaurant.com

And it was good:

And if you need a primer on amberjack ... here it is. I assume I had greater amberjack since the commercial harvest of lesser amberjack is closed in the south Atlantic. An SSC biologist would have asked.

Juggling too many balls

Where was I last week? Three days in Charleston (and then 2 days catching up [and not really catching up at all]):

The Scientific and Statistical Committee assists the Council in the development, collection, evaluation, and peer review of information relevant fishery management plans and amendments.  The SSC generally meets two times each year.  The meetings are open to the public and may be accessed remotely via webinar.  

Written comment on SSC meeting agenda items for consideration by SSC should be provided to the Council office with one week of an SSC meeting. Comments may be submitted by mail or via e-mail (address provided later). Public comment will also be taken at the start and end of each meeting. Details on submitting comment are provided in the SSC agenda and overview for each meeting.

 

Meeting information, including agendas and briefing book materials are posted as they become available.  Learn more about the role of the SSC and access a list of members. 

• SSC Meeting: October 23-25, 2012  North Charleston, SC

Crowne Plaza, 4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843/744-4422

Meeting Agenda        Briefing Book Materials   (posted 10/9; updated 10/17)

Webinar Registration: Monday, October 22 Socio-Economic Subpanel  ; Tuesday, October 23 SSC Meeting; Wednesday, October 24 SSC Meeting; Thursday, October 25 SSC Meeting

• Socio-Economic Panel (SEP) Meeting : October 22, 2012  North Charleston, SC

Crowne Plaza, 4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd., North Charleston, SC 29418; phone: 843/744-4422

Meeting Agenda         Briefing Book Materials   (posted 10/9; updated 10/17)

via www.safmc.net

One thing I learned is that the first thing to gets dropped from the to do list is active blogging. So much to say, so little time.

Another thing is that catch shares for golden crab didn't make it (discussed extensively in the SEP minutes in the briefing book materials). Shame. 

Here is an interesting exchange about golden crab:

DR. WHITEHEAD: I think part of the reason we were in favor of the catch share program is the idea that these shares are property and all the nice properties of a catch share program fall out of that characteristic that if you own part of the fishery, then you’re going to take care of it. If the catch share is transferable, then it doesn’t seem like a use-it or lose-it provision would be necessary.

MR. DUMAS: I agree with what John Whitehead just said. ...

This is interesting for two reasons:

1. My PhD is from University of Kentucky, Chris' from the University of California. I'll let the reader decide who we should call "mister." 
2. Chris agreed with me, and it wasn't the last time that day (note: we agree all the time, just fun to see it typed up). 

The name of our department is Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, and this story has them all.

This looks like they are sending up the benefit/cost bat signal:

Four Nigerian farmers and the environmental group Friends of the Earth took oil giant Shell to court Thursday in the Netherlands to demand a proper cleanup and compensation for pollution in the Niger Delta.

The farmers want the Anglo-Dutch multinational to "clean up the oil pollution in their fields and fishponds" and make sure their pipelines are maintained and kept secure to prevent leaks in the future.

The civil case has been filed against the Nigerian subsidiary of Shell, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and its international headquarters in the Netherlands, Royal Dutch Shell.

Based on "years of oil pollution in three villages in the Niger Delta," it could have "major legal consequences internationally," the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth, known locally as Milieudefensie, said in a statement ahead of the first hearing.

The three villages concerned are Goi, hit by a spill in 2004, Oruma, affected by a spill a year later, and Ikot Ada Udo, hit by various spills in 2007, according to Friends of the Earth.

Shell argues that it has cleaned up the spills to the satisfaction of the Nigerian authorities, and has no case to answer.

But Friends of the Earth says that oil pollution has had a devastating and continuing impact on vegetation, water supplies and local fishing ponds.

The campaign group says this is the first time a Dutch company has been brought before a court in the Netherlands over environmental damage caused abroad.

via www.cnn.com

OMG, I blinked and almost missed red snapper season

As soon as I buy a boat I'll be on my way to ef el a (i.e., FLA):

Red snapper, which have been off limits to fishermen since Jan. 4, 2010, will be in season once again, starting Friday in the waters off the East Coast from Florida to North Carolina.

The reason for this snapper season is to gauge the population and health of the species, which marine biologists warned was overfished and led to a U.S. government ban two years ago.

The recreational red snapper season has a pair of start and stop dates. Snapper are legal starting Friday through Sunday. Red snapper may be fished again next weekend, Sept. 21-23.

While this catch is serious business, two area organizations are holding red snapper fishing tournaments to celebrate the mini season.

Inlet Harbor plans Snapperpalooza fishing tournaments on Saturday and Sept. 22. The entry fee is $100 per boat (up to eight anglers) for each day of fishing. The weigh-in will be from 2 to 6 p.m. both days.

The Halifax Sport Fishing Club is offering an angler tournament for all six days of fishing. The cost is $25 and entries are available at Down the Hatch restaurant. The daily weigh-in will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

via www.news-journalonline.com

Actually, it might be cheaper to charter a boat since I'll only use it once, in the name of science. 

 

The effects of recession on outdoor recreation

Subsistence hunting and fishing is an inferior good:

There’s definitely an interesting socioeconomic analysis to be done on the ways in which certain activities that were once deadly earnest attempts to gather food came, in an era of relative caloric abundance, to be luxury pastimes instead. But I’m hard-pressed to explain how Snuffy and Lukey, who never had any kind of job when times were flush, have had their lives affected by extra-Holler financial crises. Perhaps there’s less demand for chickens, Hootin’ Holler’s sole export, which means there are fewer chickens for the two old rascals to steal? More likely, “th’ economic downturn” refers not to anything that would affect us flatlanders, but rather to some apocalyptic event that severed the last tenuous economic tendril connecting Hootin’ Holler to the outside world, leaving its isolated residents with no option but to turn back to the forests and streams for sustenance. This crisis presumably happened decades ago, and so what we’re seeing here is a prequel strip showing the genesis of the Snuffy Smithiverse as we’ve come to know it.

via joshreads.com

Flatlanders don't unnerstand.

$5.25 lb, frozen whole fish

From the inbox:

You are receiving this email as confirmation of your order for Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon. I wanted to provide some updates and share my most up to date information on when the salmon will be in Boone. I also included a few pictures of the commercial fishing fleet in Alaska and the "Tangent" which was the boat I fished on. ...

Our fish has arrived in Seattle and is waiting to be picked up for delivery to Boone. I am estimating arrival will be sometime after Labor Day weekend.