title: Conservation markets for wildlife management with case studies from whaling.
abstract: Although market-based incentives have helped resolve many environmental challenges, conservation markets still play a relatively minor role in wildlife management. Establishing property rights for environmental goods and allowing trade between resource extractors and resource conservationists may offer a path forward in conserving charismatic species like whales, wolves, turtles, and sharks. In this paper, we provide a conceptual model for implementing a conservation market for wildlife and evaluate how such a market could be applied to three case studies for whales (minke [Balaenoptera acutorostrata], bowhead [Balaena mysticetus], and gray [Eschrictius robustus]). We show that, if designed and operated properly, such a market could ensure persistence of imperiled populations, while simultaneously improving the welfare of resource harvesters.
authors.forename: Leah R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gaines
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003132:Commerce; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D017150:Public Sector; D014907:Whales