Fish as Private Property

David Bollier debunks the idea that the magic of 'private property' is saving fisheries from being overfished.

1 minute read

October 6, 2008, 5:00 AM PDT

"Last week, Science magazine published a study (unfortunately locked behind a paywall) that claimed that fisheries 'are much less likely to collapse if fishers own rights to fish them, called 'catch shares.' If implemented worldwide, they say, this kind of market-based management could reverse a destructive global trend.' The Science headline (September 19) read: 'Privatization Prevents Collapse of Fish Stocks, Global Analysis Shows.'"

"But are ITQs truly effective because they rely upon a 'market-based system'? Or do they work because they set overall fishing limits, a commons-based solution?"

FULL STORY: Private Property and the Power of Magical Thinking

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 in On The Commons

Environment World Fishing

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.