Political economy of marine reserves: understanding the role of opportunity costs.
The creation of marine reserves is often controversial. For decisionmakers, trying to find compromises, an understanding of the timing, magnitude, and incidence of the costs of a reserve is critical. Understanding the costs, in turn, requires consideration of not just the direct financial costs but also the opportunity costs associated with reserves. We use a discrete choice model of commercial fishermen's behavior to examine both the short-run and long-run opportunity costs of marine reserves. Our results can help policymakers recognize the factors influencing commercial fishermen's responses to reserve proposals. More generally, we highlight the potential drivers behind the political economy of marine reserves.
Nicholas School of the Environment and Department of Economics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Martin D
MD
Smith
John
J
Lynham
James N
JN
Sanchirico
James A
JA
Wilson
D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D005398:Fisheries / Q000191:economics*; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D008386:Marine Biology / Q000191:economics*; D018803:Models, Economic; D011057:Politics; D011157:Population Dynamics