Sustainable Development - World Bank Videos on Sustainable Fishing

The World Bank has posted a number of videos looking at different examples of over-fishing, and the policy solutions developed in response. It is a veritable treasure trove of material relating to common access resources, and potential solutions to the 'Tragedy of the Commons' with a lot of the emphasis on, as Elinor Ostrom would expect, local people finding their own solutions based on social norms and community action.

There are different nuances in each case, co-ordination problems and if you were so inclined a bit of public choice economics in here too. This clip looks at the development of sustainable fishing practices in a part of Indonesia across an area with numerous small islands, and, as a result, many fishermen.

Coalition Celebrates and Preserves Local Coastal Fisheries in Cabo Verde

From the Net to the Plate: Responsible Fishing in Perú

What is sustainable fishing?

Sustainable fishing is a type of fishing that aims to maintain or restore fish populations, minimize harm to marine ecosystems, and ensure the long-term viability of fishing industries. It seeks to balance the need for food security, economic prosperity, and ecological health.

In sustainable fishing, fishing practices are managed to avoid overfishing, reduce bycatch, and minimize habitat damage. This can include measures such as setting catch limits, protecting certain areas from fishing, using fishing gear that minimizes bycatch and habitat damage, and promoting selective fishing methods that target specific species.

Sustainable fishing also involves monitoring fish populations and the impacts of fishing to ensure that the ecosystem remains healthy and that fishing practices are effective in protecting the species and habitat.

It is important to note that while sustainable fishing has gained widespread support, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all fishing operations are truly sustainable, and to improve the management of global fish stocks to ensure long-term viability and food security.

What is public choice theory?

Public choice theory is an interdisciplinary field of study that uses economic analysis to understand how individuals and groups make decisions in the political arena. It applies the principles of microeconomics to the study of political behavior, with the goal of explaining why government policies and actions are the way they are.

Public choice theory asserts that people's behavior in the political arena is motivated by self-interest, just as in the market. It argues that politicians, bureaucrats, and voters all have their own interests, and that these interests drive the decisions that are made in government. For example, politicians might be motivated by the desire to be reelected, bureaucrats might be motivated by the desire to expand their power and budget, and voters might be motivated by their own self-interest or by their preferences for certain policies.

Public choice theory also explores how the structure of institutions affects the behavior of individuals and groups. It argues that the rules and incentives that govern political decision-making can influence the outcomes, and that different institutions will lead to different results.

Public choice theory has been applied to a wide range of issues, including the provision of public goods, the design of voting systems, the size and scope of government, and the behavior of interest groups. It has been influential in the development of public policy, and is often used to analyze the effects of government policies on the economy and society.