Updates from the 2005-06 e-session
Update - 06Mar06
Greetings
We would like to thank you for your interest in our e-session on the economics of large marine ecosystems.
With this update, we are bringing the session to a close. However, we will maintain the associated website throughout the year at:
earthmind.net/marine
Feel free to download information from the site.
Should you require further support on LME economics, please do not hesitate to contact us at the IUCN Global Marine Programme.
All the best for the rest of 2006.
Update - 26Jan06
A new UNEP report explains the economic value and life saving function of coral reefs and mangroves. The report underlines the vital role these natural features play in tourism, stemming coastal erosion and acting as nurseries for fish including those in the multi-million dollar aquaria trade. It recognises that corals and mangroves absorb up to 90 per cent of the energy of wind-generated waves. It also underlines that conserving them is a small price to pay when set against the costs of destroying them or substituting their role with man-made structures.
A UNEP press release and the report are available at Docs.
Update - 08Dec05
Valuation was very much on the agenda of the recent SBSTTA 11 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal. Three papers produced by the CBD Secretariat provide a solid overview of biodiversity valuation:
UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/9
Incentive Measures: Proposals on the Application of Tools for Valuation of Biodiversity and Biodiversity Resources and Functions
UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/INF/8
Incentive Measures: An Exploration of Tools and Methodologies for Valuation of Biodiversity and Biodiversity Resources and Functions
UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/INF/15
Synthesis Report On Information Received From Parties, Other Governments And Organizations On Non-Monetary Positive Incentive Measures and on the Application of Methodologies for the Assessment of Values of Biodiversity and its Functions
Reporting on the SBSTTA11 meeting, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin noted that:
"SBSTTA recommends that COP-8: consider the establishment of a process of systematic analysis and information exchange among CBD parties; encourage organizations and initiatives to extend capacity building and training on biodiversity valuation; invite institutions that support web-based information systems and databases on valuation to fully include cases on biodiversity valuation; and invite funding institutions to identify gaps and needs to support building or enhancing national capacity. COP-8 is recommended to request the Executive Secretary to: continue the compilation of information on methods for biodiversity valuation; and explore with relevant organizations options for cooperative activities, as well as options for innovative tools for biodiversity assessment and valuation."
CBD COP8 could be an opportunity to raise awareness and interest in the economic valuation of large marine ecosystems.
Please visit the Docs page for copies of these papers.
Update - 04Nov05
Later this month there will be an environmental valuation training workshop for the Caspian Region. The agenda for this workshop provides an insight into the variety of issues and techniques which can be covered by such training.
On a different note, in their comprehensive study of the economics values of Samoan resources, Mohd-Shahwahid and Richard McNally used a number of valuation techniques including one known as "benefits transfer." This technique "transfers" benefits calculated in other studies to the natural resources being evaluated. Though this technique needs to be used with caution, it can provide a cost-effective way to estimate the values of environmental goods and services.
Please visit the Docs page for more information.
Update - 25Oct05
Regarding the economics of marine resources, an excellent source of knowledge and expertise is the Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade. IFET promotes interaction and exchange between people from all countries and professional disciplines about marine resource economics and trade issues. Among the many interests of its members are fisheries, marine resource economics, fisheries management, seafood trade, aquaculture economics, and fisheries development.
Also, we have now posted a copy of the complete final draft of the BCC Economic Study as well as a short summary.
Please visit the Links and Docs pages.
Update - 14Oct05
I have recently been reading the 15 Jan 04 draft of the “Benguela Current Commission (BCC) Economic Study” prepared by Ussif Rashid Sumaila, Gordon Munro and Heather Keith of the Fisheries Economics Research Unit, UBC Fisheries Centre, Vancouver, Canada.
Through a cost-benefit analysis of the commercial fisheries in the Benguela LME, they are able to make an economic case for regional, ecosystem-based management. In so doing, they explain that the non-valued, non-market benefits of ecosystem-based management are an added bonus
This study provides a useful insight for valuation research. In some situations a “total” economic valuation of a marine resource may not be necessary. Assessing the more tangible commercial values may be sufficient to make the case for an ecosystem-based management system.
Here are a few quotes from this draft study:
“We focus on the commercial values from the fisheries of the Benguela in our analysis. This is not to say that non-commercial values are unimportant, but rather, our point of departure is that if it can be shown that the increase in commercial values from joint management of the resources of the BCLME exceeds the cost, then the extra benefits from non-market values will be a bonus.”
“There are two potential benefits of regional cooperative management. First, it will help minimize the risk of wasteful use of shared stocks. Second, it can help increase the cake by arranging harvesting by all countries involved in such a way that shared stocks are allowed to grow to their fullest economic potential.”
“Ecosystem based management is crucial if regional cooperative management is to succeed. ... Ecosystem-based management recognizes that certain non-fishery activities have an impact on the marine ecosystem and have consequences for management.”
“Based on our analysis, we conclude that the potential for obtaining net benefits from regional cooperative management of the BCLME are huge ..."
Update - 05Oct05
We have posted some new publications and new links on our site.
Regarding links, the IUCN/WWF Biodiversity Economics Library has been officially launched. It provides an excellent collection of documents as well as a spider search engine for key sites. See:
biodiversityeconomics.org/the_spider.html
Over the coming weeks we plan to add more studies directly related to the economics of large marine ecosystems. Your contributions and suggestions are most welcome.
Update - 11Sep05
Let's start off our e-discussion with the following question:
What are the benefits of large marine ecosystems and to whom do they accrue?
It would be interesting to share specific examples.
Update - 05Sep05